1 62 THE POTATO 



Grading. — The proper grading of potatoes is essen- 

 tial to success. Scabb)'', second-growth, ill-shapen, 

 diseased, and undersized tubers must be removed 

 from first-class grade. The grading may be done by 

 having a sand screen on trestles set at such an angle 

 that the potatoes roll down iito baskets at the bottom, 

 while the dirt falls through, and the seconds and refuse 

 are thrown into baskets or boxes on the side. Let two 

 men sort and one shovel, and have one emptying and 

 bagging if the}- go into bags. A sack-holder is a con- 

 venience in filling the bag. The small potatoes and 

 dirt maj' be removed by a potato-sorter (Fig. 49), of 

 which there are several types on the market. 



Packages. — Potatoes are sold by the pound, peck, 

 bushel, barrel, cental, and car lot. The early potatoes 

 are shipped in barrels holding 3 bushels (180 pounds). 

 A canvas cover is nailed on the head. Such barrels 

 cost about 20 cents, including the cover. The late 

 crop is .sometimes shipped in bulk in car lots. In the 

 East seed potatoes are shipped in double-headed bar- 

 rels containing 165 pounds, net. Such barrels cost, 

 new, about 30 to 33 cents. Flour-barrels are often 

 purchased at about 1 5 cents each instead. The high 

 price of new barrels leads some to ship seed potatoes 

 in strong burlap sacks which hold the same amount 

 as a barrel. The sacks cost 15 to 20 cents less than 

 the barrel. Boxes are used for shipping small quan- 

 tities. On the Pacific Coast burlap sacks holding 

 a cental (100 pounds), and costing 5 cents each, are 

 used. 



Barrels. — Before filling, drive the hoops firm on the 

 bottom and nail with shingle nails; drive on the bulge 



