148 MISC. PUB. 190, U.S. DEPT. OF AGRICULTURE 
coarse stalks, seed stems, yellow or discolored leaves, 
second growths, wilting, freezing, dirt, disease, in- 
sects, or mechanical or other means. 
In order to allow for variations incident to proper 
grading and handling, not more than a total of 10 per- 
cent, by weight, of the plants in any container” may 
be below the requirements of this grade, but not more 
than one fifth of this amount or 2 percent, shall be 
allowed for spinach which is affected by decay. 
U.S. Commercial shall consist of spinach plants 
which meet all requirements of U.S. No 1 grade except 
as to the tolerances for defects. Not more than a total 
of 20 percent, by weight, of the spinach in any contain- 
er “ may be below the requirements of U.S. No. 1 spin- 
ach but not more than 10 percent shall be seriously 
damaged. Of this tolerance for serious damage not 
more than one fifth of this amount or 2 percent shall 
be allowed for spinach which is affected by decay. 
Unclassified shall consist of spinach which is not 
graded in conformity with the foregoing grades. 
DEFINITIONS OF TERMS 
As used in these grades: 
“Similar varietal characteristics” means _ that 
spinach shall be generally of one type, as crinkly-leaf 
type or flat-leaf type. No mixture of varieties shall 
be permitted which materially affects the appearance 
of the lot. 
* Well grown” means plants which are not stunted 
or poorly developed. 
“Well trimmed” means that spinach plants are 
cut at the crown of the root or cut so that the roots 
are not longer than approximately 1 inch. No plants 
shall be admitted to U.S. No. 1 grade if the roots are 
long enough to damage the appearance of the lot. 
“Damage” means any injury from the causes men- 
tioned which materially affects the appearance, or 
the edible or shipping quality. Plants which have 
reached a stage of development where the flower buds 
are plainly visible, or where the plants have developed 
& Application of tolerances: The tolerances specified for 
the various grades are placed on a container basis. How- 
ever, any lot of spinach shall be considered as meeting the 
requirements of a specified grade if, upon inspection, no sam- 
ple from the containers in any lot is found to exceed the 
tolerances specified by more than one half the amount 
allowed, provided that the entire lot shall average within the 
tolerances specified. 
