Wis 1 7(f 
 
 University of California 
 j(<> . College of Agriculture 
 
 Agricultural Experiment Station 
 Berkeley, California 
 
 SEASONAL LABOR NEEDS FOR CALIFORNIA CROPS 
 KINGS COUNTY 
 Progress Report No. 16 
 by 
 
 R. L. Adams 
 Preliminary — Subject to Correction 
 February, 1937 
 
 Contribution from the 
 Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics 
 Mimeographed Report No, 53 
 
 BR- 
 
(Farm labor Survey -- July-December, 1936) 
 
 Progress Report Wo. 16 
 
 Seasonal Labor Needs for California Crops 
 Kings County 
 
 Scope of Presentati on. — The following considerations govern the presentation 
 of this progress report: 
 
 1. The data are confined to the area indicated above. 
 
 2. The data are confined solely to crops, livestock needs being ignored, 
 
 3. The findings apply only to occasional or seasonal labor requirements as 
 distinguished from labor contributed by farm operators and by v/orkers employed on a 
 year-round or regular basis of employment. 
 
 4. Attention is concentrated upon workers required for hand tasks — planting 
 thinning, weeding, hoeing, and harvesting -- without including teamsters, tractor 
 drivers, irrigators, and shed packers of vegetables or fruits. 
 
 5. The presentation includes the so-called migratory, transient, or roving 
 workers which comprise an important source of help needed in connection with cer- 
 tain tasks and at "peak" times which seasonally arise in connection with many field 
 truck, and fruit crops commercially produced in California. 
 
 6. This report is confined to California's need for seasonal agricultural 
 workers because of the more pressing problems liable to arise in connection there- 
 with. A later study is planned which will deal v;ith other kinds of labor involved 
 in the production of California's many crops. 
 
 Crops, Acreages, and Productio n. — The basis used in calculating occasional or 
 seasonal need for labor, in addition tr> that furnished by farm operators and regu- 
 larly employed workers, appears as table 1. 
 
 TABLE 1 
 
 Basis for Calculating Seasonal Labor Requirements 
 Kings County 
 
 Crops 
 
 Acreage* 
 
 Production -f 
 
 Field crops : 
 Alfalfa 
 Cotton 
 
 Grain -- barley 
 oats 
 wheat 
 
 Hay — tame and "volunteer" 
 
 Sorghums for grain 
 
 Flax 
 
 Vegetable crops 
 None reported 
 
 20,100 
 17,700 
 22,880 
 574 
 41,945 
 8,768 
 5,376 
 2,500? 
 
 83,337 tons 
 20,479 bales t 
 1,155,529 bushels 
 16,387 bushels 
 
 I, 621,143 bushels 
 
 II, 689 tons 
 112,647 bushels 
 
 Average 11 bushels per acre 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
1> 
 
 * 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
2. 
 
 Table 1 continued. 
 
 i^rops 
 
 Fruit and nut crops ; 
 Apricots 
 
 Grapes — 
 
 Olives 
 Peaches -• 
 
 Plums 
 
 Prunes 
 
 Walnuts 
 
 Thompson 
 Muscat 
 
 miscellaneous 
 
 clingstone 
 freestone 
 
 Acreage* 
 
 3,611 
 
 2,295 
 9,660 
 1,126 
 272 
 
 382 
 2,875 
 
 146 
 457 
 406 
 
 Production T 
 
 14,400 tons dried (fresh woight) = 2,400 
 
 tons dry '/ 
 3,655 tons sold fresh 
 4,000 tons raisins (dry vreight) 
 50,000 tons for juice 
 12,500 tons shipped 
 490 tons for canning ) 
 53 tons not for canning) 
 1,910 tons 
 
 3,000 tons (dn/ T/eight) dried 
 1,000 tons sold fresh 
 438 tons (all shipped) 
 650 tons (dry weight) If 
 171,100 pounds merchantable 
 35,100 pounds culls estimated if 
 
 543 tons total** 
 
 * Acreage data is from L. 0, Haupt, Agricultural Commissioner, Kings County, 
 
 T Due to lack of assembled data, production figures are estimates compiled 
 from various sources. 
 
 f Data from California Cooperative Crop Reporting Service — Final California 
 Cotton Report for the 1935 Crop — Sacramento, May 26, 1936, Ip. 
 
 <f Considerably more flax was planted but was not harvested due to weeds, etc. 
 Probably 3,000 acres in 1936, 
 
 *R Prune crop unusually heavy in 1935 — normally about 500 tons. 
 
 |l Drying ratios used in this report are: 
 
 Apricots — 5 l/2 to 1 
 
 Peaches — 5 l/2 to 1 
 Raisins 4 to 1 
 
 Prunes -- 3 1/2 to 1 
 
 ** Olive production is an estimate by California Olive Association for 1935 
 
 Crop , 
 
 it Data from Walnut Control Board, Culls estimated to be 17 per cent of total 
 crop (state average) . 
 
 Operations Requiring Seasonal Labor and Times of Need Farm operations requir- 
 ing the use of seasonal or occasional labor for tlic various crops raised in Kings 
 County are indicated in table 2. This tabulation does not include the employing of 
 shed workers needed to wash, pack, and prepare various commodities for shipping and 
 marketing. 
 
TABLE 2 
 
 3. 
 
 Operations Requiring Use of Seasonal Labor and Tines of Meods by Crops 
 
 Kings County 
 
 Crop 
 
 Field crops: 
 Alfalfa* 
 (50 per 
 cent of 
 acreage) 
 
 Based on 
 50 per J 
 cent of^ 
 total 
 crop 
 
 Cotton 
 
 Operation 
 
 Mowing and rak- 
 ing (5 cut- 
 tings) 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 Stacking — 80 
 
 per cent of 
 
 crop 
 
 Baling — 20 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Chopping 
 
 Irrigating (4 
 times) 
 
 Picking "f 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 April — 30 per cent of acre- 
 age 
 
 May — 90 per cent of acreage 
 June •-- 90 per cent of acre- 
 age 
 
 July •-- 90 per cent of acre- 
 age 
 
 August — tvro-thirds of acre- 
 age 
 
 September — two-thirds of 
 
 acreage 
 October — two-thirds of 
 
 acreage 
 Same as above 
 May — 20 per cent of job 
 June -- 20 per cent of job 
 July 20 per cent of job 
 August — 13 per cent of job 
 September — 13 per cent of 
 
 job 
 
 October — 13 per cent of job ^ 
 Same as stacking 
 
 April 15-30 -- one-sixth of 
 
 acreage 
 May 1-31 — two-thirds of 
 
 acreage 
 June 1-15 — one -sixth of 
 
 acreage 
 June 1-30 — four-thirds of 
 
 acreage 
 July 1-31 ~- four-thirds of 
 
 acreage 
 
 August 1-31 — four-thirds of 
 acreage 
 
 September 15-30 — 2 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 October 1-31 — 4<5 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 
 November 1-30 -- 29 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 December 1-31 — 11 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 January 1-31 — 9 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 February 1-28 — 3 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 > 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 56 
 
 75 
 
 100 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 \ 100 
 
 Output per 
 man-day 
 
 8 acres 
 moiving 
 
 16 acres 
 raking 
 
 5 acres 
 
 4 tons 
 
 5 tons 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 5 acres 
 (in 12 
 hours ) 
 
 250 pounds 
 
 200 pounds 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
. \ 
 
Table 2 continued. 
 
 Orop 
 
 Flax 
 
 ^rain 
 
 Sorghums 
 (for 
 grain) 
 
 Fruit and 
 nut crops 
 Apricots 
 
 Operation 
 
 Harvesting by 
 "combine" 
 
 Harvesting by 
 "combine" 
 
 Hauling 
 
 Hoeing (on 500 
 acres) 
 
 Cutting by hand, 
 10 per cent 
 
 Harvesting (by 
 combine) 90 per 
 cent 
 
 Threshing by 
 stationary ma- 
 chine — 10 per 
 cent 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Brush burnina; 
 
 Time of need 
 
 ler cent of 
 v/ork done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 June 1-30 — 40 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 July 1-31 -- 40 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 August 1-15 — 20 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 May 25-31 -- 10 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 June 1-30 — 40 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 July 1-31 -- 40 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 
 August 1-15 -- 10 per cent of 
 
 / 
 
 acreage 
 Same as harvesting 
 May ■•- one-third of job 
 June -- one-third of job 
 July — one-third of job ^ 
 September 20-30 — 10 per " 
 
 cent of job 
 October 1-31 — 50 per cent 
 
 of job 
 
 November 1-30 — 40 per cent J 
 
 of job ^ 
 October 1-31 50 per cent | 
 
 of job I 
 November 1-30 — 50 per cent ' 
 
 of job ) 
 October 1-31 — 50 per cent ~| 
 
 of job I 
 November 1-30 — 50 per cent 
 
 of job 
 
 November 
 
 acreage 
 December 
 
 acreage 
 January 
 
 acreage 
 February 
 
 acreage 
 Sane as pruning 
 
 10 per cent of 
 30 per cent of 
 30 per cent of 
 30 per cert of 
 
 Spraying — inconsequential 
 Thinning by hand April 15-30 
 
 --40 per cent 
 of acreage 
 
 Thinning by 
 poles — 40 per 
 cent of acreage 
 
 job 
 
 1-15 
 
 — 50 per cent of 
 50 per cent of 
 
 job 
 
 April 15-30 — 50 per cent of 
 job 
 
 May 1-15 — 50 per cent of 
 job 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 25 
 
 90 
 
 50 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 5 acres 
 
 7 acres 
 (12 
 
 hours ) 
 
 300 sacks 
 2.5 acres 
 
 0.75 acre 
 
 5 acres 
 
 30 sacks 
 (of 130 
 pounds) 
 
 Oo25 acre 
 
 2 acres 
 
 0 2 acre 
 ; '3 5 trees 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 Table continued on next page, 
 
1^ 
 
 4 
 
 f '■ 
 
 i 
 ♦ 
 
 i ; 
 
jrai)le 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Apricots 
 ( Gont . ) 
 
 Grapes 
 
 Operation 
 
 ricking; for 
 fresh use 
 
 ricking for dry^ 
 ing (15 per 
 cent by hand, 
 85 per cent by 
 shaking off) 
 
 Cutting for dry- 
 ing 
 
 Other dry-yard 
 work 
 
 Pruning 
 Thompsons 
 
 Pruning other 
 varieties 
 
 Tying (Thompson 
 Seedless) 
 
 Picking for rai- 
 sins 
 
 (Thompsons) 
 
 Picking for 
 shipping (field 
 packing) 
 
 Tirae of need 
 
 I er cent of 
 ViTork done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 ) 
 
 May 20-31 -- 25 per cent of 
 job 
 
 June 1-30 -- 75 per cent of 
 job 
 
 June 7-30 80 per cent of 1 
 job 1 
 
 July 1-4 — 20 per cent of ^ 
 Job J 
 
 June 7-30 — 80 per cent of 
 job 
 
 July 1-4 -- 20 per cent of 
 job 
 
 June 7-30 -- 75 per cent of 
 job 
 
 July 1-10 — 25 per cent of 
 job 
 
 Deceraber 15-31 — 10 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 January 1-31 — 40 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 February 1-28 — 40 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 March 1-15 — 10 per cent of 
 
 acrepge / 
 December 15-31 — 10 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 January 1-31 — 40 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 February 1-28 — 40 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 March 1-15 -- 10 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 January 1-31 -- 40 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 February 1-28 — 40 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 March 1-15 -- 20 per cent 
 
 acreage 
 August 1-31 -- all of job 
 
 > 
 
 > 
 
 mt I 
 of J 
 
 September 1-30 — 12 per cent 
 of job 
 
 October 1-31 — 76 per cent 
 of job 
 
 November 1-50 — 12 per cent 
 of job 
 
 1 
 
 ]00 
 
 100 
 
 90 
 
 90 
 
 75 
 
 75 
 
 50 
 
 IOC 
 
 100 
 
 Output per 
 man-day 
 
 1 , 200 
 pounds 
 
 1 , 800 
 pounds by 
 shaking 
 off; 1,20C 
 pounds by 
 hand 
 
 750 pounds 
 
 11 man- 
 hours per 
 fresh tcnf 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 3,000 
 pounds — 
 about 150 
 trays 
 
 30 boxes of 
 28 pounds 
 
 Table continued on next page, 
 
6. 
 
 Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 •Grapes 
 (cont .) 
 
 Olives 
 
 Peaches 
 
 Operation 
 
 Picking (for 
 winery) 
 
 Turning trays 
 
 Rolling paper 
 trays (50 per 
 cent of crop) 
 
 Stacking wood 
 trays (50 per 
 cent of crop) 
 
 Boxing and haul- 
 ing in 
 
 Picking for 
 pickling 
 
 Picking for oil 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Brush burning 
 Thinning 
 Picking for 
 
 shipping and 
 
 canning 
 
 Picking for dry- 
 ing 
 
 Time of need 
 
 I er cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonn.l heln 
 
 September 15-30 — 15 per 
 
 cent of job 
 October 1-31 — 75 per cent 
 
 of job 
 
 November 1-15 — 10 per cent 
 of job 
 
 September 5-30 — 75 per cent 
 of job 
 
 October 1-10 — 25 per cent 
 of job 
 
 September 15-30 -- one-third 
 of job 
 
 October 1-31 -- two-thirds of 
 job 
 
 September 15-30 — one-third 
 of job 
 
 October 1-31 — two-thirds of 
 job 
 
 September 15-30 — one-third 
 of job 
 
 October 1-31 — two-thirds of 
 job 
 
 September 15-30 — 15 per 
 
 cent of job 
 October 1-31 — 60 per cent 
 
 9f job 
 
 November 1-21 — 25 per cent 
 of job 
 
 December -- 25 per cent of 
 job 
 
 January — 50 per cent of job 
 February -- 25 per cent of 
 job 
 
 December 1-31 — one-third of 
 acreage 
 
 January 1-31 — one-third of 
 acreage 
 
 February 1-28 — one-third of 
 
 acreage 
 Same as pruning 
 May 1-31 all acreage 
 July 15-31 -- 10 per cent of 
 
 crop 
 
 August 1-31 -- 90 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 July 15-31 — 10 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 August 1-31 — 90 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 100 
 
 90 
 
 75 
 
 75 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 50 
 
 25 
 
 90 
 
 90 
 90 
 
 Output per 
 ma n- day 
 
 Ig- tons 
 
 1 , 500 
 trays 
 
 1 , 500 
 trays 
 
 1,000 
 trays 
 
 5,000 
 pounds 
 (dry 
 we i ght ) 
 
 400 pounds 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 2 acres 
 0.2 acre 
 
 1 ton 
 
 2,500 
 
 pounds 
 
 Table continued on nert page. 
 
( * 
 
7o 
 
 Tab le 2 cont inued. . 
 Crop Operation 
 
 reaches 
 ( cont . ) 
 
 Plums 
 
 Prunes 
 
 Walnutc 
 
 Cutting for dry- 
 ing 
 
 Other labor in 
 dry yards 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Thinning (25 per 
 cent of acre- 
 age) 
 
 Pickin.?' 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Picking up 
 
 Dipping and dry- 
 ing 
 
 Shaking off, 
 picking up, and 
 hulling by hand 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 July 15-31 10 per cent of 
 job 
 
 August 1-31 — 90 per cont of 
 job 
 
 August 1-31 — 90 per cent of 
 job 
 
 September 1-10 — 10 per cent 
 of job 
 
 November -- 10 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 Pecember — 30 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 January — 30 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 February — 30 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 
 April 15-30 -- 50 per cent of 
 job 
 
 May 1-15 — 50 per cent of 
 job 
 
 June 20-30 — 5 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 July 1-20 — 95 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 November 15-30 -- 10 per cent 
 of job 
 
 Pecember 1-31 — 30 per cent 
 of job 
 
 January 1-31 — 30 per cent 
 of job 
 
 February 1-28 — 30 per cent 
 X of job 
 
 September 1-30 — all of crop 
 
 September 1-30 — 75 per cent 
 of job 
 
 October 1-15 — 25 per cent 
 of job 
 
 October 1-31 — all of crop 
 
 90 
 
 90 
 
 ? 75 
 
 100 
 
 90 
 
 1 
 
 90 
 
 75 
 50 
 
 Output per 
 man-day 
 
 1 ton (= 40 
 boxes ) 
 
 11.5 man- 
 hours F'^^aj 
 fresh tonT 
 
 0.4 acre 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 800 pounds 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 1,500 
 pounds 
 
 8.3 man- 
 hours po 
 fresh t 
 
 on' 
 
 200 pounds 
 
 * It is estimated that about 50 per cent of alfalfa acreage is In small hold- 
 ings on which operators do all work or exchange work with neighbors, requiring no 
 seasonal help. 
 
 "t" Cotton picking by months based on "Cotton Production in the United States - 
 crop of 1935", U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. 
 
 ^ From Christie, A. Vf. and I. C. Barnard. The principles and practice of sun- 
 drying fruit. California Agr. Kxp, Sta. Bui. 388:40-60. 1925. 
 
I 
 1 
 
 f 
 
 I 
 
 I 
 
0 , 
 
 Findings of Seasonal Labor N eeds.— Details and summaries of seasonal labor re- 
 quirements of King;s County af^riculture are presented as table 3, The "size of task" 
 are figures drawn from table 1, in terms of either acrea-e or output in tons, 
 crates, boxes, or whatever unit is coinmonly used. The "output per man-day" is an 
 average figure for the entire acrea-.e or output fip;ured in crates, hampers, boxes, 
 or other units as indicated in the table. If the vrork is of a nature that requires 
 a crew — different members of vAich perform different tasks --• then the average 
 shown is per man based on the entire crew. Lenrth of day is 9 hox-rs, Koveraber^to 
 February; 10 hours, March to October; unless othenvise stated. Wide variations in 
 output occur between farm and farm, field and field, and season and season, because 
 of differences in soil types, climatic conditions, weeds, yields, and other factors 
 influencing the amount of work that a laborer can perform in a p;iven day. Moreover, 
 the basis^of output is a mature, experienced male worker without reference to use of 
 women, children, and more or less inexperienced help that is sometimes used in con- 
 nection^with certain of the tasks requiring use of seasonal workers. The column 
 headed "available days" reflects (a) limitations set from the period v/ithin which 
 the work must be performed because of the nature of the task, such as transplanting 
 thinning, weeding, and cutting, and (b) available days as determined by weather con- 
 ditions, inclement weather reducing the number of days when a required task can be 
 performed. The "required number of individuals" is given in terms of workers as 
 noted above in connection with "output per man-day." 
 
 It is probable that the estimated number of workers required, as recorded in 
 table 3, will often be too low, for the reason that "peaks " froquontly occur during 
 which an unusually large proportion of the job is done in a very short period. This 
 would naturally require a much greater number of workers than when the work is 
 spread over a longer ' period, even though the total amount of labor (in m?n-davs) re- 
 mains the same. 
 
4 
 
 9 
 
TABLE 3 
 
 Seasonal Labor Needs — Kings County by Months and Tasks 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 Mr, nth 
 
 111 W I i \^ I I 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 man- days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 
 Cotton: Picking 
 
 2 764 500 Dounds T 
 
 200 pounds 
 
 13,823 
 
 22 
 
 629 
 
 
 
 542 acres ^ 
 
 0 . 25 acre 
 
 2,168 
 
 22 
 
 99 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 271 acres ^ 
 
 2,0 acres 
 
 136 
 
 22 
 
 7 
 
 
 Grapes -- Thompson: Pruning 
 
 689 acres ^ 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 1,378 
 
 22 
 
 63 
 
 
 other varieties: Pruning 
 
 3, 236 acres ^ 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 4,904 
 
 22 
 
 223 
 
 
 Thompson: Tying 
 
 459 acres'?^ 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 306 
 
 22 
 
 14 
 
 
 Olives: Picking for oil 
 
 27 tons 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 108 
 
 22 
 
 5 
 
 
 Peaches; Pruning 
 
 543 acres ^ 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 2,172 
 
 22 
 
 99 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 271 acres ^ 
 
 2.0 acres 
 
 136 
 
 22 
 
 7 
 
 
 Plums: Pruning 
 
 31 acres 
 
 0.4 acre 
 
 78 
 
 22 
 
 4 
 
 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 103 acresf 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 206 
 
 22 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 25.415 
 
 22 
 
 1,156 man-months 
 
 
 Ontton' Pickinf? 
 
 921 , 000 pounds f 
 
 200 pounds 
 
 4,605 
 
 23 
 
 201 
 
 
 Apricots: Pruning 
 
 541 acres ^ 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 2,164 
 
 23 
 
 95 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 271 acres 
 
 2.0 acres 
 
 136 
 
 23 
 
 6 
 
 
 G-rapes -- Thompson: Pruning 
 
 689 acres ^ 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 1,378 
 
 23 
 
 60 
 
 
 other varieties: Pruning 
 
 3, 236 acres ^ 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 4,904 
 
 23 
 
 214 
 
 
 Thompson: Tying vines 
 
 459 acres ^ 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 306 
 
 23 
 
 14 
 
 
 Olives: Picking for oil 
 
 13 tons 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 52 
 
 23 
 
 3 
 
 
 Peaches: Pruning 
 
 543 acres =^ 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 2,172 
 
 23 
 
 95 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 271 acres f 
 
 2.0 acres 
 
 136 
 
 23 
 
 6 
 
 
 Plums: Pruning 
 
 31 acres 
 
 0.4 acre 
 
 78 
 
 23 
 
 4 
 
 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 103 acres =f 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 206 
 
 23 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 16,137 
 
 23 
 
 702 man-months 
 
 March 
 
 Grapes -- Thompson: Pruning 
 
 172 acres ^ 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 344 
 
 12 
 
 29 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 other varieties: Pruning 
 
 809 acres * 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 1,226 
 
 12 
 
 103 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Thompson: Tying 
 
 230 acres # 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 154 
 
 12 
 
 13 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 
 
 1,724 
 
 24 
 
 72 man-months 
 
 April 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 
 1 , 508 acres 
 
 8.0 acres 
 
 189 
 
 24 
 
 8 
 
 
 Raking 
 
 1, 508 acres f 
 
 16.0 acres 
 
 95 
 
 24 
 
 4 
 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 
 1,508 acres f 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 302 
 
 24 
 
 13 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 

 
 . . . — ■ -- ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 - 
 
 
 ■ - ■ — 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 5 continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 man- days 
 
 days 
 
 
 ■orkers* 
 
 April 
 
 Cotton: Chopping 
 
 2,950 acres 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 1,180 
 
 12 
 
 99 
 
 (From 15-30) 
 
 (cent . ) 
 
 Apricots: Thinning by hand 
 
 650 acres f 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 3,250 
 
 12 
 
 271 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Thinning by poles 
 
 361 acres'^ 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 722 
 
 12 
 
 61 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Plums: Thinning 
 
 73 acres 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 365 
 
 12 
 
 31 
 
 (From 15-30) 
 
 
 
 
 6,103 
 
 24 
 
 255 
 
 m.an -months 
 
 May 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 
 4, 522 acres ^ 
 
 8 acres 
 
 566 
 
 26 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 Raking 
 
 4,522 acres T 
 
 16 acres 
 
 283 
 
 26 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 
 4,522 acresT 
 
 5 acres 
 
 905 
 
 26 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 Stacking 
 
 4,400 tons + 
 
 4 tons 
 
 1,100 
 
 26 
 
 43 
 
 
 
 Baling 
 
 1,251 tonsT 
 
 5 tons 
 
 251 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 Cottrn: Chopping 
 
 11,800 acres 
 
 2,5 acres 
 
 472 
 
 26 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 Grain: Harvesting by "combine" 
 
 3,270 acres t 
 
 7 .0 acres y 
 
 468 
 
 5 
 
 94 
 
 (From 25-31) 
 
 
 Hauling 
 
 62,450 sacks f 
 
 300 sacks 
 
 209 
 
 5 
 
 42 
 
 (From 25-31) 
 
 
 Sorghum for grain: Hoeing 
 
 167 acres 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 67 
 
 26 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Apricots: Thinning by hand 
 
 650 acres ^ 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 3,250 
 
 13 
 
 250 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Thinning by poles 
 
 361 acres f 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 722 
 
 13 
 
 56 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Picking for fresh use 
 
 914 tons 
 
 1,200 pounds 
 
 1,524 
 
 9 
 
 170 
 
 (From 20-31) 
 
 
 Peaches: Thinning 
 
 2,931 acres^ 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 14,655 
 
 26 
 
 564 
 
 
 
 Plums: Thinning 
 
 73 acres 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 365 
 
 13 
 
 29 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 
 
 
 24,837 
 
 26 
 
 956 
 
 man-months 
 
 June 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 
 4, 522 acres =^ 
 
 8 acres 
 
 566 
 
 26 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 Raking 
 
 4, 522 acres f- 
 
 16 acres 
 
 283 
 
 26 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 
 4,522 acres? 
 
 5 acres 
 
 905 
 
 26 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 Stacking 
 
 4,400 tons * 
 
 4 tons 
 
 1,100 
 
 26 
 
 43 
 
 
 
 Baling 
 
 i 
 
 1,251 tons f 
 
 5 tons 
 
 251 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 Cotton: Chopping 
 
 2,950 acres 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 1,180 
 
 13 
 
 91 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Irrigating 
 
 11,800 acres ^ 
 
 5 .0 acres y 
 
 2,360 
 
 26 
 
 91 
 
 
 
 Flax: Harvesting by "combine" 
 
 500 acres t 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 100 
 
 26 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 Grain: Harvesting by "combine" 
 
 13,080 acres ^ 
 
 y 
 
 7 .0 acres y 
 
 1,869 
 
 26 
 
 72 
 
 
 
 Hauling 
 
 249,802 sacks 
 
 300 sacks 
 
 833 
 
 26 
 
 33 
 
 
 
 Sorghum for grain: Hoeing 
 
 167 acres 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 67 
 
 26 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Apricots: Picking for fresh use 
 
 2,741 tons 
 
 1,200 pounds 
 
 4,569 
 
 26 
 
 176 
 
 
 
 Picking for drying (by hand) 
 
 1,728 tons 
 
 1,200 pounds 
 
 2,880 
 
 20 
 
 144 
 
 (From 7-30) 
 
 
 Picking for drying (by shaJcing) 
 
 9,792 tons 
 
 1,800 pounds 
 
 10,880 
 
 20 
 
 544 
 
 (From 7-30) 
 
 Table continued on next page . 
 
Table 3 continued . 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 Re quired 
 man- days 
 
 Available 
 days 
 
 Required number of 
 workers* 
 
 June 
 ( cont . ) 
 
 July 
 
 August 
 
 Apricots (cont.) 
 
 Cutting for drying 
 
 Other dry-yard work 
 Plums: Picking 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 
 Stacking 
 
 Baling 
 Cotton: Irrigating 
 Flax: Harvesting by "combine" 
 Grain: Harvesting by "combine" 
 
 Hauling 
 Sorghum for grain: Hoeing 
 Apricots: Picking for drying (by 
 
 hand) 
 
 Picking for drying (by shaking) 
 Cutting for drying 
 Other dry-yard labcr 
 Peaches: Picking for shipping and 
 canning 
 
 Picking for drying 
 Cutting for drying 
 Plums: Picking 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 
 Stacking 
 
 Baling 
 Cotton: Irrigating 
 Flax: Harvesting by "combine" 
 Grain: Harvesting by "combine" 
 
 Hauling 
 
 10,368 tons ^ 
 9,720 tons 
 20 tons f 
 
 4,522 acres t 
 4, 522 acres 
 4, 522 acres 
 4,400 tons'f 
 
 I, 251 tonsf 
 
 II, 800 acresf 
 500 acres 
 13,080 acres + 
 249,802 sacks ^ 
 166 acres 
 
 312 tons 
 1,768 tons 
 2,592 tons t 
 3,240 tons t 
 
 262 tons =F 
 1,485 tons f 
 1,485 tons *■ 
 375 tons^f 
 
 3, 350 acres 
 3,350 acres * 
 3,350 acres* 
 2,860 tons'' 
 813 tons f 
 11,800 acres^ 
 250 acres'^ 
 3,270 acres* 
 62,450 sacks 
 
 750 pounds 
 800 pounds 
 
 27,648 
 10,692 
 
 50 
 
 20 
 20 
 8 
 
 1,383 (From 7-30) 
 535 (From 7-30) 
 7 (From 20-30) 
 
 66,233 
 
 26 
 
 2,548 man-months 
 
 8 acres 
 16 acres 
 5 acres 
 
 4 tons 
 
 5 tons 
 
 5.0 acres ^ 
 5.0 acres 
 7.0 acres / 
 300 sacks 
 2.5 acres 
 
 1,200 pounds 
 1,800 pounds 
 750 pounds 
 
 1.0 ton 
 2,500 pounds 
 1.0 ton 
 
 800 pounds 
 
 566 
 283 
 905 
 
 1,100 
 251 
 
 2,360 
 100 
 
 1,869 
 833 
 67 
 
 520 
 1,965 
 6 ,912 
 3,564 
 
 262 
 1,188 
 1,485 
 
 938 
 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 
 3 
 4 
 4 
 9 
 
 13 
 13 
 13 
 18 
 
 11 
 35 
 
 43 
 10 
 91 
 
 4 
 72 
 33 
 
 3 
 
 174 (From 1-4) 
 492 (From 1-4) 
 1,728 (From 1-4) 
 396 (From 1-10 ) 
 
 21 (From 1-15) 
 
 92 (From 1-15) 
 
 115 (From 15-31) 
 
 55 (From l-20) 
 
 25.168 
 
 26 
 
 968 man months 
 
 8 acres 
 16 acres 
 5 acres 
 
 4 tons 
 
 5 tons 
 
 5 ,0 acres ^ 
 5.0 acres 
 7.0 acres/ 
 300 sacks 
 
 419 
 210 
 670 
 715 
 163 
 2,360 
 50 
 468 
 209 
 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 13 
 13 
 13 
 
 17 
 
 9 
 26 
 28 
 
 7 
 91 
 
 4 (From 1-15) 
 36 (From 1-15) 
 17 (From 1-15) 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
Tahl e 5 continued- 
 
 Month 
 
 August 
 (cont . ) 
 
 ISeptember 
 
 October 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 lirapes — Thompsons: Picking for 
 raisins 
 
 Peaches: Picking for shipping and 
 canning 
 
 Picking for drying 
 Cutting for drying 
 Other dry-yard labor 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 Stacking 
 Baling 
 Cotton: Picking 
 
 Sorghum for grain: Cutting by hand 
 Grapes: Picking for shipping (fieli 
 packing) 
 
 Picking for wineries 
 Raisins: Turning trays 
 
 Rolling paper trays 
 
 Stacking wooden trays 
 
 Boxing and hauling in 
 Olives: Picking for pickling 
 Peaches: Dry-yard labor 
 Prunes: Picking up 
 
 Dipping and drying 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 Stacking 
 Baling 
 Cotton: Picking 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Ol Ttmi+ ni^y* mPi lo — H ft V 
 
 WUUfJUL- pCTi liiCLli u.c*.y 
 
 man- days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 16,000 tons 
 
 o, uuu pounds 
 
 J.U , DO ' 
 
 
 411 
 
 
 dy oD i tons ^ 
 
 1 A + on 
 
 2,357 
 
 26 
 
 91 
 
 
 io , ODD xons ^ 
 
 
 10,692 
 
 26 
 
 412 
 
 
 X«j,odd Lons ~ 
 
 T O + nn 
 X . U bU n 
 
 13,365 
 
 26 
 
 515 
 
 
 T1 1 + n m n 4- 
 
 16 , ooo xons-F 
 
 
 15 , 363 
 
 26 
 
 591 
 
 
 
 
 57,708 
 
 26 
 
 2.220 
 
 man-months 
 
 3,350 acres ^ 
 
 8 acres 
 
 419 
 
 26 
 
 17 
 
 
 3 , 350 acres 
 
 16 acres 
 
 210 
 
 26 
 
 9 
 
 
 3,350 acres^ 
 
 
 670 
 
 26 
 
 26 
 
 
 <i,oou tons »^ 
 
 4 tons 
 
 715 
 
 26 
 
 28 
 
 
 oxo xons ' 
 
 5 tons 
 
 163 
 
 26 
 
 7 
 
 f Fro^. 15-30) 
 
 DDo,uuu pounQs 1 
 
 iC«^w pUUfiUo 
 
 2,212 
 
 13 
 
 171 
 
 54 acres 
 
 
 7 P 
 
 Q 
 0 
 
 9 
 
 (From 20-30) 
 
 1 , 0\ju uons 
 
 "^O l~i/^v"oo li 
 
 3,572 
 
 26 
 
 138 
 
 f From T5-3n) 
 
 / , Ouu Lons 
 
 T ^ + r\ 1^ «5 
 
 5,000 
 
 13 
 
 
 T n POO t nno f 
 
 1 son travs** 
 
 655 
 
 22 
 
 ■^0 
 
 (V-rnrr, S- "^0 1 
 
 D A A A + ^ 
 
 <c , uuu t-ons T 
 
 1 c:AA +r»Qiro* * 
 
 X , uUU xrays 
 
 122 
 
 13 
 
 10 
 
 (From 15-30) 
 
 UDU tons T 
 
 1 AAA +v»QTro** 
 
 i , UUU trays 
 
 182 
 
 13 
 
 14 
 
 (Prom 15-30) 
 
 Afi7 t nna + 
 
 ? S ton*? 
 
 267 
 
 13 
 
 21 
 
 (From 15-30) 
 
 1 A + r\K» o 
 
 f 'i tunb 
 
 AOO nAiinrf^ 
 
 370 
 
 13 
 
 29 
 
 (From 15-30) 
 
 1 ARR t An Q ^ 
 
 
 1,707 
 
 8 
 
 214 
 
 (From 1-iO) 
 
 
 
 ^ , 1 <-/ J. 
 
 26 
 
 106 
 
 
 1 QQO + <-.io c? ^ 
 
 X , tz,ov xons • 
 
 
 1,063 
 
 26 
 
 41 
 
 
 
 
 20,130 
 
 26 
 
 775 
 
 man -months 
 
 
 
 419 
 
 25 
 
 17 
 
 
 3, 350 acres t 
 
 16 acres 
 
 210 
 
 25 
 
 9 
 
 
 3,350 acres'^ 
 
 5 acres 
 
 670 
 
 25 
 
 27 
 
 
 2,860 tonsf 
 
 4 tons 
 
 715 
 
 25 
 
 29 
 
 
 813 tons=f 
 
 5 tons 
 
 163 
 
 25 
 
 7 
 
 
 12,717,000 pounds f 
 
 250 pounds 
 
 50,868 
 
 25 
 
 2,035 
 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
Tab 1 e 5 continued ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Aval lable 
 
 Hequir 
 
 'ed number of 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man- day 
 
 man- days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 October 
 
 Sorghum for grain: Cutting by hand 
 
 269 acres 
 
 0.75 acre 
 
 •2 c n 
 
 359 
 
 CO 
 
 15 
 
 
 (cont . ; 
 
 Threshing by stationary machine 
 
 2 , 690 sacks T 
 
 80 sacks 
 
 O'i 
 
 0 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Harvesting by "combine" 
 
 2 , 369 acres t- 
 
 5 acres 
 
 ^ n A 
 4/4 
 
 CO 
 
 19 
 
 
 
 Grapes: Picking for shipping (field 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 pacKing; 
 
 9,500 tons 
 
 30 boxes " 
 
 dc. , d20 
 
 CD 
 
 905 
 
 
 
 Picking for winery 
 
 o / , oUU tons 
 
 1 . 5 tons 
 
 OCT r\(^r\ 
 
 cO 
 
 1 , 000 
 
 (From 1-10) 
 
 
 Raisins: Turning trays 
 
 3 , 500 tons ^ 
 
 1,500 trays 
 
 
 Q 
 
 0 
 
 28 
 
 
 Rolling paper trays 
 
 4,000 tons f 
 
 1,500 trays** 
 
 243 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 Stacking wood trays 
 
 4,000 tons t 
 
 1,000 trays** 
 
 364 
 
 25 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 Boxing and hauling in 
 
 i , 666 tons f 
 
 2.5 tons 
 
 0o4 
 
 CO 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 Olives: Picking for pickling 
 
 2a4 tons 
 
 400 pounds 
 
 1 , 4: / U 
 
 cD 
 
 59 
 
 ^trom 1-15,' 
 
 
 Prunes: Dipping and drying 
 
 426 tons T 
 
 
 O04 
 
 Ic 
 
 30 
 
 
 Walnuts: Shaking off, picking up, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hulling by hand 
 
 lUo,iOU pounds r 
 
 c\A) Dounds 
 
 .OXo 
 
 Co 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 
 
 iUD , c:Ofi 
 
 OC^ 
 CD 
 
 4. 210 
 
 man-months 
 
 November 
 
 Cotton: Picking 
 
 o,Jif,DDU pounds T 
 
 -— 
 
 doQ pounds 
 
 
 c4 
 
 1,337 
 
 
 
 Sorghum for grain: Cutting by hand 
 
 215 acres 
 
 0.7b acre 
 
 O O "7 
 
 O A 
 
 24 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 Threshing by stationary machine 
 
 2,690 sacks r 
 
 80 sacks 
 
 34 
 
 24 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Harvesting by "combine" 
 
 2 , 369 acres ^ 
 
 5 acres 
 
 474 
 
 24 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 Apricots: Pruning 
 
 181 acresf 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 724 
 
 24 
 
 31 
 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 90 acres 
 
 2.0 acres 
 
 45 
 
 24 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Grapes: Picking for shipping (field 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 packing) 
 
 1,500 tons 
 
 oO boxe s '/ 
 
 "Z C T O 
 
 24 
 
 149 
 
 
 
 Picking for winery 
 
 5,000 tons 
 
 1.5 tons 
 
 3 , 334 
 
 12 
 
 278 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Olives: Picking for pickling 
 
 122 tons 
 
 400 pounds 
 
 610 
 
 17 
 
 36 
 
 (From 1-21) 
 
 
 Plums: Pruning 
 
 11 acres ^ 
 
 0.4 acre 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 34 acres r 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 68 
 
 12 
 
 6 
 
 (From 15-30) 
 
 
 
 
 41 , 247 
 
 24 
 
 1,719 
 
 man-months 
 
 December 
 
 Cotton: Picking 
 
 3,379,500 pounds f 
 
 200 pounds 
 
 16,898 
 
 23 
 
 735 
 
 
 
 Apricots: Pruning 
 
 542 acres + 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 2,168 
 
 23 
 
 95 
 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 271 acres 
 
 2.0 acres 
 
 136 
 
 23 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 Grapes -- Thompsons: Pruning 
 
 172 acres ^ 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 344 
 
 23 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 Other varieties: Pruning 
 
 809 acresi^ 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 1,226 
 
 23 
 
 54 
 
 
 
 Olives: Picking for oil 
 
 13 tons 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 52 
 
 23 
 
 3 
 
 
 Table continued on next page. m 
 
 03 
 
Table 3 continued • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per 
 
 man -day 
 
 man-days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 Decembar 
 
 Peaches: Pruning 
 
 543 acres 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 
 2,172 
 
 23 
 
 95 
 
 (cont . ) 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 272 acresf 
 
 2.0 acres 
 
 
 1.36 
 
 23 
 
 6 
 
 Plums: Pruning 
 
 31 acres ^ 
 
 0.4 acre 
 
 
 78 
 
 23 
 
 4 
 
 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 103 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 
 206 
 
 23 
 
 9 
 
 — ^— 
 
 
 
 23,416 
 
 
 1 , 019 msn-months 
 
 On monthly basis unless otherwise noted. 
 
 t Seed cotton -- For September, October, and November, it is estimated that it takes 1,350 pounds of seed cotton to 
 make a bale; after the frost -- that is, during December, January, and February -- this figure is estimated to be 1,500 
 pounds . 
 
 ^ Estimated portion of job done by seasonal workers. 
 <f Rate of work for a 12-hour day. 
 
 •^i Dry-yard labor, other than cutting, estimated to be as follows: 
 
 Apricots - 11 man-hours per fresh ton 
 Peaches - 11.5 man-hours per fresh ton 
 Prunes - 8.3 man-hours per fresh ton 
 
 II Boxes of 28 pounds net of grapes. 
 ** Trays of 22 pounds net, fresh weight; 5 pounds net, dry weight. 
 
15. 
 
 TABLE 4 
 
 Summary of Seasonal Labor Needs by Months 
 Kings County 
 1935 
 
 
 Reouired man-days 
 
 Available 
 
 Required man- months 
 
 T\f n n "1" li 
 
 nT RfiflRonPi'' labor 
 
 davs 
 
 of seasonal labor 
 
 •T*^ Tin w 
 
 25,415 
 
 22 
 
 1,156 
 
 
 16,137 
 
 23 
 
 702 
 
 Mo T r» Vi 
 
 1, 724 
 
 24 
 
 72 
 
 April 
 
 6,103 
 
 24 
 
 255 
 
 May 
 
 24,857 
 
 26 
 
 956 
 
 June 
 
 66,233 
 
 26 
 
 2,548 
 
 July 
 
 25,168 
 
 26 
 
 968 
 
 Aug;ust 
 
 57,708 
 
 26 
 
 2,220 
 
 September 
 
 20,130 
 
 26 
 
 775 
 
 October 
 
 105,232 
 
 25 
 
 4,210 
 
 November 
 
 41,247 
 
 24 
 
 1,719 
 
 December 
 
 23,416 
 
 23 
 
 1,019 
 
 Total 
 
 413,350 
 
 
 16,600 
 
 Notes 
 
 Notes on T able 2 . — Data concerning "time of need" as shown in this table break 
 down required "seasonal labor into the period in which the v;ork is performed in order 
 to permit a subsequent determination of labor needs by months (table 3) . Some 
 operations are performed only to a limited extent with seasonal labor. For instance, 
 only about 50 per cent of the labor in harvesting grain is done by seasonal workers. 
 When a job extends over several different months, the proportionate amount for each 
 month is shown. 
 
 The amount of work done each month is based on the cropping system followed 
 during 1935. The allotting of amounts of work is based on findings concerning local 
 farm practices, and required time to "make" a crop resulting from inquiry of pro- 
 ducers, and records of carlot shipments, the latter proving helpful in fixing dates 
 of planting and of subsequent tasks involved in producing certain crops. Fropor- 
 tionate amounts of output harvested each month were determined from data of local 
 practices with respect to harvesting, and from carlot shipments of perishable prod- 
 ucts. Records of truck shipments were also used when available. 
 
 Fotes on Table 3 . — Table 3 is the condensed summary of labor needs as worked 
 out for Kings County as a result of findings pertinent to 1935. The data are 
 presented by months with the tasks which were performed in each month indicated by 
 both crop and task. The size of the job was calculated from the data appearing in 
 table 1 (acreage and production) and table 2 (task, time of performance, and per- 
 centage of work pertinent to a given month). The output per man-day v;as calculated 
 as indicated in the foreword presenting table 3. The number of required man-days is 
 a result of dividing the size of task by output per man-day. The available days for 
 the different tasks involve tvvo variables. The first is the number of days when 
 field work is possible because of favorable weather conditions. 
 
 The basis for this column was determined from a study of the monthly weather 
 charts of the United States Vifeather Bureau for the years 1933, 1934, and 1935. 
 These data indicated available days per month as follows (based on a 26-day working 
 
4 
 
16. 
 
 month without allowance for holidays): 
 
 
 Available 
 
 Length of 
 
 
 Available 
 
 length of 
 
 Month 
 
 days 
 
 work day 
 
 Month 
 
 days 
 
 work day 
 
 
 
 hours 
 
 
 
 hours 
 
 January 
 
 22 
 
 ~'~ 
 
 July 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 February 
 
 23 
 
 9 
 
 August 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 March 
 
 24 
 
 10 
 
 September 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 April 
 
 24 
 
 10 
 
 October 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 May 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 November 
 
 24 
 
 9 
 
 June 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 December 
 
 23 
 
 9 
 
 Source of data: Based on precipitation records of the Hanford station of the United 
 States Weather Bureau for the years 1933, 1934, and 1935, 
 
 The second factor influencing the number of available days was the size of the 
 job. If the output was only a few cars, then the number of days was limited to the 
 time needed to get cut those cars efficiently. If a field operation had to be per- 
 formed in a period less than the number of available days in the month, then the 
 specific number of days was noted. These restrictions are shown in parentheses. 
 For example, in July, the picking of peaches was limited to the last half of the 
 month . 
 
 The totals of table 3 shov/ the total required man-days of needed seasonal 
 labor, the available days for field work during the month, and the necessary number 
 of men (as defined in the opening paragraph of table 3) required on a monthly basis 
 to care for the tasks ordinarily performed by seasonal workers. 
 
 In an area such as Kings County, involving a variety of annual crops, the find- 
 ings as set forth in this report are bound to fluctuate materially from year to year, 
 because of the market outlook upon \vhat and how much acreage is planted, and v/hen it 
 is planted; because of variable se&sonal conditions affecting yields, time of per- 
 forming operations, and available days; and because of harvesting operations on cer- 
 tain crops being speeded up to supply a good market, or retarded to avoid a poor 
 one, resultin" in m.arked variations in the need for harvest labor. 
 
i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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