54 BULLETIN 1283, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
The size of the new crop exerts only a moderate influence on the 
price level at which the new crop will sell. The rate of shipments 
does, however, affect the price during the season considerably. The 
tendency of Bermuda prices every year is to decline as the season 
progresses. But whenever shipments are diminished materially,, 
this tendency has been checked. 
Poorly graded onions exert a depressing influence on prices to a 
greater degree than the difference in quality would indicate. They 
tend to accumulate in dealers' hands and by increasing the visible 
supply retard the sale of all onions. 
Most of the factors affecting prices are beyond the control of the 
individual grower. He should do all he can to have his onions ready 
for the early market, he should grade carefully, and he should ship 
according to the market. 
The big problems of marketing Bermuda onions can be successfully 
solved only by organized united effort. A thoroughly organized 
working organization of a good majority of those interested can (1) 
distribute the crop more thoroughly, develop markets not now being 
reached, and stimulate consumption by consciously directed effort; 
(2) feed the market gradually what it can consume during the Ber- 
muda season at reasonable prices, instead of throwing the stock on the 
market at once regardless of demand; (3) install a system of grading 
and inspection that will prevent shipment of huge quantities of un- 
graded onions to clog the channels of trade; and (4) be ready to servo 
the industry whether marketing conditions are favorable or not, and 
ready to put forth unusual effort to move the crop in those years 
when marketing conditions are at their worst. A sufficient start 
has already been made to prove that all of these objects can be 
accomplished. 
UNITED STATES GRADES FOR BERMUDA ONIONS 15 
Recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture 
U. S. Grade No. 1 
U. S. Grade No. 1 shall consist of sound onions of one variety which are mature, 
bright, well-shaped, free from doubles, splits, bottle-necks, and seed-stems, and 
practically free from damage caused by dirt or other foreign matter, moisture, 
sunburn, cuts, disease, insects, or by mechanical or other means. The diameter 
shall not be less than two inches. 
In order to allow for variations incident to commercial grading and handling, 
six percentum by weight of any lot need not meet the foregoing requirements 
of this grade. In the case of yellow onions not more than five percentum by 
weight of any lot may be noticeably pink. 
If any lot which meets the requirements of this grade contains more than ten 
percentum by weight of onions with a diameter of three and one-half inches or 
more, the grade name shall be "U. S. Grade No. 1 Large." 
U. S. Grade No. 2 
U. S. Grade No. 2 shall consist of sound onions of one variety not meeting the 
requirements of U. S. Grade No. 1, which are free from doubles, splits, bottle- 
necks, and seed-stems, and practically free from damage caused by moisture, 
sunburn, cuts, disease, insects, or mechanical means. The diameter shall not be 
less than two inches. 
In order to allow for variations incident to commercial grading and han- 
dling ten percentum by weight of any lot may be below the requirements of this 
grade. 
lf, From United States Department of Agriculture Department Circular No. 97, 1920. 
