University of California 
 College of Agriculture 
 Agricultural Experiment Station 
 
 SEASONAL LABOR NEEDS FOR CALIFORNIA CROPS 
 MADERA COUNTY 
 Progress Report No. 20 
 
 by 
 
 R. L. Adams 
 Preliminary — Subject to Correction 
 February, 1937 
 
 Contribution from the 
 Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics 
 Mimeographed Report No. 53 
 
v 
 
 / 
 
 1, 
 
(Farm Labor Survey — July-December, 1936) 
 Pro gress Re por t No. 20 
 
 Seasonal Labor Needs for California Crops 
 Madera County 
 
 Scope of Presentation . — The following considerations govern the presentation 
 of this progress report: 
 
 X* 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 workers employed on a 
 year-round or regular basis of employment. 
 
 4. Attention is concentrated upon workers required for hand tasks — plant- 
 ing, thinning, weeding, hoeing, and harvesting — without including teamsters, trac- 
 tor 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 certain 
 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 with other kinds of labor involved in 
 the production of California's many crops. 
 
 Crops, Acreages, and Production. — The basis used in calculating occasional or 
 seasonal need "for labor, other than that furnished by farm operators and regularly 
 employed workers, appears as table 1. 
 
 TABLE 1 
 
 Basis for Calculating Seasonal Labor Requirements 
 
 Madera County 
 
 Crop 
 
 Acreage 
 
 Production 
 
 Field crops: 
 
 
 
 Alfalfa 
 
 5,095 
 
 30,570 tons 
 
 Beans* 
 
 40 
 
 30 tons 
 
 Cotton 
 
 24,300 
 
 25,513 bales f 
 
 Grain — barley 
 
 72,580 
 
 54,430 tons 
 
 oats 
 
 320 
 
 160 tons 
 
 wheat 
 
 24,300 
 
 6,075 tons 
 
 Grain hay* 
 
 700 
 
 700 tons 
 
 Onions and garlic* 
 
 40 
 
 300 tons 
 
 Potatoes* 
 
 90 
 
 560 tons 
 
 Sorghums for grain 
 
 760 
 
 570 tons 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
-J 
 
Table 1 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Acreage 
 
 Production 
 
 Vegetable and truck crops: 
 Lettuce* 
 
 Melons — cantaloupes* 
 
 miscellaneous* 
 
 Tomatoes* 
 
 Fruit and nut crops : 
 Almonds 
 Apples* 
 Apricots 
 Figs 
 
 Grapes — raisin varieties 
 Thompson 
 Mus cat 
 Sultana 
 Zante 
 
 miscellaneous 
 
 table varieties 
 
 Malaga 
 
 miscellaneous 
 
 wine varieties 
 
 Nectarines 
 Olives 
 
 Peaches — clingstones 
 
 1 I OCO uoiieb 
 
 Plums 
 Prunes* 
 Walnuts * 
 
 20 
 70 
 80 
 120 
 
 295 
 81 
 953 
 1,279 4 
 
 10,419 j 
 1,163 
 326 
 203 
 17 
 
 > 
 
 585 
 53 
 
 3,001 J 
 
 85 
 502 
 
 516 
 
 Olu 
 
 206 
 37 
 11 
 
 2,500 crates 
 10,500 crates 
 57,600 melons 
 1,200 tons 
 
 47 tons 
 267 tons 
 
 250 tons (dry weight) dried r 
 100 tons (dry weight) dried 
 
 4,260 tons raisins (dry weight) 
 1,500 tons wine varieties shipped 
 580 tons table varieties shipped 
 52,150 tons to wineries 
 
 20 tons (dry weight) dried 
 
 473 tons for canning ) . „ — 
 eo , . „ • k 542 tons total <fl 
 69 tons not for canning) 
 
 3,100 tons (fresh weight) 
 
 A. OOn f ^rto ( fro o In wo i <yV>-|-^ 
 
 618 tons 
 
 * Acreage or production small -- Use of seasonal labor inconsequential and 
 hence ignored. 
 
 + Data from California Cooperative Crop Reporting Service. Final California 
 dotton report for the 1935 crop. Sacramento, May 26, 1936 - lp. 
 
 4 Drying ratios: Apricots - 6ft to 2 
 
 Peaches - % to 1 
 Raisins - 4 to 1 
 
 <f Includes : Calimyrna - 838 acres 
 Adriatic - 314 acres 
 
 miscellaneous - 126 acres 
 
 <ff Olive production is an estimate by California Olive Association for 1935 
 
 Crop. 
 
 O perations Requiring Seasonal Labor and Times of Need . — Farm operations re- 
 quiring the use of seasonal or occasional labor for the various crops raised in 
 Madera County are indicated in table 2. This tabulation does not include the employ- 
 ing of shed workers needed to wash, pack, and prepare various commodities for ship- 
 ping and marketing. 
 
V 
 
3. 
 
 TABLE 2 
 
 Operations Requiring Use of Seasonal Labor and Times of Needs by Crops 
 
 Madera County 
 
 Crop 
 
 Field crops : 
 Alfalfa 
 
 Cotton 
 
 Operation 
 
 Mowing (5 cut- 
 tings) 
 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by 
 hand 
 
 Stacking (two- 
 thirds of 
 crop) 
 
 Baling (one- 
 third of crop) 
 
 Chopping 
 
 Weeding (hoe- 
 ing) 
 
 Irrigating 
 4 times 
 
 Ficking* 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done bj; 
 seasonal help 
 
 \ 
 
 April 20-30 — 30 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 May 1-31 — 90 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 June 1-30 — 90 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 July 1-31 — 90 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 
 August — two-thirds of acreage 
 September — two-thirds of 
 
 acreage 
 
 October — two-thirds of acre- 
 age 
 
 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 S 
 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 
 May — two-thirds of job 
 June — one-third of job 
 June 1-30 -- 50 per cent of 
 
 acres ge 
 July 1-31 — 50 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 July -- one-third of job 
 August — one-third of job 
 September — one-third of job 
 September 15-30 — 2.2 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 
 October 1-31 -- 36.3 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 November 1-30 — 34.9 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 December 1-31 — 12.0 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 January 1-31 -- 9.6 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 February 1-28 — 5.0 per cent 
 of crop y 
 
 ) 
 
 50 
 
 60 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 ) 100 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 8 acres 
 
 16 acres 
 6.5 acres 
 
 3.5 tons 
 
 5.0 tons 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 10 acres 
 
 5 acres 
 
 250 pounds 
 seed cot- 
 ton 
 
 200 pounds 
 seed cot- 
 ton 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
1 • 
 
 < 
 
Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Fer cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 Grain 
 
 Harvesting with 
 combine 
 
 40 per cent of 
 40 per cent of 
 
 Sorghums 
 for grain 
 
 Cutting by hand 
 
 Fruit and 
 nut crops i 
 Almonds 
 
 Apricots 
 
 Threshing 
 
 Knocking 
 
 Hulling (by ma- 
 chine) 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Brush disposal 
 
 Thinning (by 
 hand) 50 per 
 cent of acre- 
 age 
 
 Ficking 
 
 Cutting for 
 drying (prac- 
 tically all 
 dried) 
 
 June 1-30 
 
 acreage 
 July 1-31 
 
 acreage 
 
 August 1-15 — 20 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 September — 20 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 
 October — 60 per cent of acre- 
 age 
 
 November -- 20 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 September -- 15 per cent of 
 
 crop 
 
 October — 60 per cent of crop 
 November — 25 per cent of crop 
 
 August 15-31 — one-third of 
 crop 
 
 September 1-30 — two-thirds of 
 crop 
 
 August 15-31 — one-third of 
 crop 
 
 September 1-30 — two-thirds of 
 crop 
 
 November 15-30 — 5 per cent of 
 job 
 
 December 1-31 — 40 per cent of 
 job 
 
 January 1-31 — 45 per cent of 
 job 
 
 February 1-28 -- 10 per cent of 
 job 
 
 December 1-31 — 40 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 January 1-31 -- 45 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 February 1-28 — 10 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 March 1-15 — 5 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 April 15-30 -- all of job 
 
 75 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 > 50 
 
 90 
 
 June 24-30 
 July 1-10 - 
 
 une 24-30 
 July 1-10 - 
 
 ■- one-third of crop \ 
 • two-thirds of crop / 
 •- one-third of job 
 ■ two-thirds of job 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 7 acres 
 (in 12 
 hours) 
 
 0.75 acre 
 
 100 sacks 
 of 130 
 pounds 
 
 0.25 ton 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 One-sixth 
 acre 
 
 2.5 acrea 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 1,750 
 pounds 
 
 750 pounds 
 
 Table continued on 
 
 next page . 
 
■4* 
 
 J 
 
Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Apricots 
 ( cont . ) 
 Figs 
 
 Grapes 
 
 Operation 
 
 Other dry yard 
 work 
 
 ticking up for 
 drying (all 
 varieties) 
 
 Drying, fumiga- 
 ting, sorting, 
 etc . 
 
 Pruning — 
 Thompson, 
 Sultana, and 
 Zante 
 
 Wrapping (or 
 tying) 
 Thompson, 
 Sultana, and 
 Zante 
 
 Pruning (other 
 varieties) 
 
 Time of need 
 
 ] : er cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Burning brush 
 
 Hoeing and 
 suckering 
 (shovelling) 
 wine varieties 
 
 Picking for 
 rais ins 
 
 Turning trays 
 
 June 24-30 — one-third of job 
 July 1-15 — two-thirds of job 
 August 15-31 — one-third of 
 crop 
 
 September 1-30 -- two-thirds 
 of crop 
 
 August 15-31 -- one -fourth of 
 job 
 
 September 1-30 -~ three- 
 fourths of job 
 
 December 15-31 — 20 per cent 
 of acreage 
 
 January 1-31 -- 40 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 February 1-28 — 30 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 March 1-15 — 10 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 
 December 15-31 — 15 per cent 
 of job 
 
 January 1-31 -- 40 per cent of 
 job 
 
 February 1-28 -- 30 per cent 
 of job 
 
 March 1-15 -- 15 per cent of 
 job 
 
 December 15-31 -- 20 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 January 1-31 — 40 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 
 February 1-28 — 30 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 March 1-15 — 10 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 
 January 1-31 — 40 per cent of 
 job 
 
 February 1-28 -- 40 per cent 
 of job 
 
 March 1-15 — 20 per cent of 
 job 
 
 April one-third of job 
 May — one -third of job 
 June — one-third of job 
 
 August 20-31 — 50 per cent 
 of job 
 
 September 1-15 — 50 per cent 
 of job 
 
 September 1-30 — 75 per cent 
 of job 
 
 October 1-10 — 25 per cent 
 of job 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 80 
 
 90 
 
 90 
 
 50 
 
 90 
 
 100 
 
 90 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 11 man- 
 hours per 
 fresh toht 
 
 0.25 ton 
 
 40 man- 
 hours per 
 dry ton 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 Total of 
 10 hours 
 per acre- 
 ISO trays 
 (22 
 
 pounds 
 
 fresh 
 
 weight) 
 
 1,500 
 trays 
 
 Table continued on 
 
 next page . 
 
Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Fer cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Output per 
 man-day 
 
 Grapes 
 ( cont . ) 
 
 01 ives 
 
 Peaches 
 (includ- 
 ing nec- 
 tarines) 
 
 Rolling trays 
 
 Boxing and 
 hauling 
 
 Ticking for 
 wineries 
 
 Picking for 
 shipping 
 
 Picking for 
 pickling 
 
 Picking for oil 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 Thinning — 
 clingstones 
 (by hand) 
 
 September 10-30 — 50 per cent 
 of job 
 
 October 1-31 -- 50 per cent of 
 job 
 
 September 15-30 — one-third of 
 crop 
 
 October 1-31 — two-thirds of 
 crop 
 
 August 20-31 -- 10 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 September 1-30 — 40 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 October 1-31 — 40 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 November 1-30 — 10 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 August 15-31 — 3 per cent of 
 job 
 
 September 1-30 — 33 per cent 
 of job 
 
 October 1-31 — 58 per cent of 
 job 
 
 November 1-30 -- 6 per cent of 
 job 
 
 September 15-30 -- 15 per cent 
 of job 
 
 October 1-31 — 60 per cent of 
 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 
 November 15-30 — 5 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 December 1-31 — 40 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 January 1-31 -- 45 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 February 1-28 — 10 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 December 1-31 — 40 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 January 1-31 — 45 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 February 1-28 — 10 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 March 1-15 — 5 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 
 May 1-31 — 6 5 per cent of job 
 June 1-30 — 35 per cent of job 
 
 75 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 90 
 
 1,500 
 trays 
 
 5,000 
 pounds 
 (dry 
 weight) 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 1,500 
 pounds 
 
 400 pound: 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 One-sixth 
 acre (15 
 trees) 
 
 2,5 acres 
 
 One -sixth 
 acre (15 
 trees) 
 
 Table continued on next page, 
 

 
 1 ; ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ! 
 
 -4 
 
Table 2 continued. 
 
 7. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Feaches 
 (cont.) 
 
 Plums 
 
 Operation 
 
 Thinning -- 
 freestones 
 (with poles) 
 
 Fi eking — 
 clingstones 
 ( including 
 sorting) 
 
 Picking — 
 freestones 
 (for drying) 
 70 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 Cutting free- 
 stones for 
 drying 
 
 Other dry-yard 
 work 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Fer cent of 
 work dene by 
 seasonal help 
 
 May 1-31 — all of acreage 
 
 August 5-31 -- 85 per cent of 
 
 crop L 
 
 September 1-5 — 15 per cent of ? 
 
 crop J 
 July 24-31 -- 20 per cent of 
 
 crop L 
 
 August 1-31 — 80 per cent of f 
 
 crop J 
 
 Picking free- 
 stones for 
 fresh use (30 
 per cent of 
 crop) 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Thinning (by 
 hand) 
 
 Ficking 
 
 July 24-31 -- 20 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 August 1-31 -- 80 per cent of 
 crop 
 
 July 24-31 -- 15 per cent of 
 job 
 
 August 1-31 — 65 per cent of 
 job 
 
 September 1-10 — 20 per cent 
 of job 
 
 August 1-31 — 50 per cent of 
 job 
 
 September 1-30 — 50 per cent 
 of job 
 
 ) 
 
 > 
 
 December 1-31 — 50 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 January 1-31 — 50 per cent of 
 
 acreage J 
 April 15-50 — all of acreage 
 
 June 23-30 — all of crop 
 
 \ 
 
 90 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 90 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 50 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 3 acres 
 
 2,000 
 pounds 
 
 2,000 
 pounds 
 
 2,000 
 pounds 
 
 11.5 man- 
 hours per 
 fresh tor? 
 
 1,200 
 pounds 
 
 0,25 acre 
 
 One- 
 
 s eve nth 
 
 acre 
 800 pounds 
 
 * Cotton picking by months based on Cotton Production in the United States 
 — Crop of 1935. U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census. 
 
 f From Christie, A. W. and L. C. Barnard. The principles and practice of 
 sun-drying fruit. California Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. 388:40-60. 1925. 
 
 Finding s of Seasonal Labor Needs . — Details and summaries of seasonal labor 
 requirements of Madera County agriculture are presented as table 3. The "size of 
 task" are figures drawn from table 1, in terms of either acreage or output in tons, 
 crates, boxes, or whatever unit is commonly used. The "output per man-day" is an 
 average figure for the entire acreage or output figured in crates, hampers, boxes, or 
 other units as indicated in the table. If the work is of a nature that requires a 
 crew, different members of which perform different tasks, then the average shown is 
 per man based on the entire crew. Length of day is 9 hours, November to February; 10 
 hours, March to October; unless otherwise 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 
 
l! 
 
8. 
 
 amount of work that a laborer can perform in a given day. Moreover,, the basis of 
 output is a mature, experienced male worker without reference to use of women, chil- 
 dren, and more or less inexperienced help that is sometimes used in connection with 
 certain of the tasks requiring use of seasonal workers. The column headed "avail- 
 able days" reflects (a) limitations sot from the period within which the work must bo 
 performed because of the nature of the task, such as transplanting, thinning, weed- 
 ing, and cutting, and (b) available days as determined by weather conditions, incle- 
 ment 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 con- 
 nection 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" frequently 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 tho work is spread 
 over a longer period, even though the total amount of labor (in man-days) remains the 
 same . 
 
TABLE 3 
 
 Seasonal Labor Needs — Madera County -- by Months and Tasks 
 
 
 
 
 
 Output per 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 lViU il Li t 
 
 V |J Cfc I lu V/ GLO A 
 
 
 Size of task 
 
 man- day 
 
 man- days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 January 
 
 Cotton: Picking 
 
 
 tJUt / w O IWL. 
 
 POD nnnnrft! 
 
 
 20 
 
 919 
 
 
 
 Apricots: Pruning 
 
 
 
 U . J- ' dwl L 
 
 
 20 
 
 63 
 
 
 
 i— 1 UDll ui^y^iJLii 
 
 
 214 acres i" 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 86 
 
 20 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 (iT"anp £ 3 — — ThomDson Sultana. Zante: 
 
 Pruning 
 
 4,336 acres''" 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 8,732 
 
 20 
 
 437 
 
 
 
 
 
 2,426 acres"*" 
 
 1 . 5 acres 
 
 1 ,618 
 
 20 
 
 81 
 
 
 
 Ot,her var^ et,ies : Pruning 
 
 
 1,310 acres - '" 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 1,985 
 
 20 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 All va.riet.ies: Brush burning 
 
 
 3,154 acres"!" 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 631 
 
 20 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 01 i vp^ ! Pi f*.lci hp* f ov oi 1 
 
 «_/ X X V O O • 1.X w I\ Xllg J. \J 1 v -L -L 
 
 
 35 tons 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 140 
 
 20 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 Ppache<5 and nectarines: Prunins 
 
 
 319 acres T 
 
 0.17 acre 
 
 1,877 
 
 20 
 
 94 
 
 
 
 Brush burni ng 
 
 
 319 acres 1" 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 128 
 
 20 
 
 i 
 / 
 
 
 
 PI umc; : Prnni dp 
 
 A X V* 111 *J » * 1 Ullll O 
 
 
 51 acres 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 204 
 
 20 
 
 T 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■55 n?fl 
 
 < J l- , Kj C' 
 
 20 
 
 1 . 752 
 
 mfln-monthfi t 
 
 lild.il iiiv t i ullO J 
 
 
 
 
 
 POD nniird=! 
 
 9 , 570 
 
 21 
 
 456 
 
 
 
 Ad ri cots: Prunine 
 
 
 48 acres T 
 
 0.17 acre 
 
 283 
 
 21 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 Brush disposal 
 
 
 48 acres T 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 20 
 
 21 
 
 1 
 
 X 
 
 
 
 Grapes — Thompson, Sultana, Zante: 
 
 Pruning 
 
 3 , 275 acres A 
 
 0 . 5 acre 
 
 6,550 
 
 21 
 
 312 
 
 
 
 Wrapping or tying 
 
 
 1,819 acres"f 
 
 1 . 5 acres 
 
 1,213 
 
 21 
 
 JO 
 
 
 
 Other varieties: Pruning 
 
 
 982 acres + 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 1,488 
 
 21 
 
 71 
 
 f X 
 
 
 
 All varieties: Brush burning 
 
 
 O , 1J J atl Co 
 
 ^ C\ £» f*Y*C* C 
 
 QUI 
 
 21 
 
 31 
 
 
 
 Olives: Picking for oil 
 
 
 17 tons 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 68 
 
 21 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 Peaches and nectarines: Pruning 
 
 
 71 acres T 
 
 0-17 acre 
 
 418 
 
 21 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 
 71 acres t 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 29 
 
 21 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 20.270 
 
 21 
 
 966 
 
 man-months 
 
 March 
 
 Apricots: Brush disposal 
 
 
 24 acres A 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 1 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Grapes -- Thompson, Sultana, Zante: 
 
 Pruning 
 
 1,092 acres + 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 2,184 
 
 10 
 
 219 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Wrapping or tying 
 
 
 910 acres'!" 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 607 
 
 10 
 
 61 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Other varieties: Pruning 
 
 
 328 acres ■ 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 497 
 
 10 
 
 50 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 All varieties: Brush burning 
 
 
 1,577 acres -f 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 316 
 
 10 
 
 32 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 Peaches and nectarines: Brush burning 
 
 36 acres 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 15 
 
 21 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 3.629 
 
 21 
 
 173 
 
 man-months 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
: 
 
 i 
 
 * 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 ' ' ■ - - ji 
 
 f 
 
 : •• : -i- 
 
 - .*. . . ; 
 
 
 
 
 
 ; . ' : :, 
 
 > 
 
 
 ■ - 
 
4 
 
 Table 3 continued 
 
 Month 
 
 April 
 
 May- 
 
 June 
 
 )roD and task 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 Apricots: Thinning by hand 
 Grapes -- wine varieties: Hoeing and sucker- 
 
 ing 
 
 Plums: Thinning by hand 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking 
 
 Stacking 
 
 Baling 
 Cotton: Chopping 
 Grapes — wine varieties 
 
 ing 
 
 Peaches — clingstone: Thinning 
 freestone: Thinning with poles 
 
 Hoeing and sucker- 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 
 Stacking 
 
 Baling 
 Cotton: Chopping 
 
 Weeding (hoeing) 
 Grain: Harvesting with combine 
 Apricots: Picking 
 
 Cutting for drying 
 
 Other dry-yard work 
 Grapes -- wine varieties: Hoeing and sucker- 
 
 ing 
 
 Peaches — clingstone: Thinning 
 Plums: Picking 
 
 Size of task 
 
 764 acres f 
 764 acres 
 764 acres 
 133 acres f 
 
 901 acres f 
 206 acres 
 
 2,293 acres t 
 2,293 acres + 
 2,293 acres + 
 2,446 tons T 
 1,019 tons t 
 16,200 acres 
 
 900 acres 1 
 302 acres t 
 736 acres t 
 
 2,293 acres t" 
 2,293 acres £ 
 2,293 acres ' 
 2,446 tons ¥ 
 1,019 tons f 
 8,100 acres 
 12,150 acres 
 30,060 acres t" 
 458 tons <T| 
 458 tons <fl 
 229 tonsffl 
 
 900 acres f 
 162 acres T 
 618 tons 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 8 acres 
 16 acres 
 6.5 acres 
 0.2 acre 
 
 1.0 acre 
 0.14 acre 
 
 8 acres 
 16 acres 
 6.5 acres 
 3.5 tons 
 5.0 tons 
 2.5 acres 
 
 1.0 acre 
 0.17 acre 
 3.0 acres 
 
 8 acres 
 16 acres 
 6.5 acres 
 3.5 tons 
 5.0 tons 
 2.5 acres 
 10 acres 
 7 acres y 
 1,750 pounds 
 750 pounds 
 
 1.0 acre 
 0.17 acre 
 800 pounds 
 
 Required 
 man- days 
 
 96 
 48 
 113 
 665 
 
 901 
 1,472 
 
 3,500 
 
 287 
 144 
 353 
 699 
 204 
 6,480 
 
 900 
 1,777 
 246 
 
 11,090 
 
 287 
 144 
 353 
 699 
 204 
 3,240 
 1,215 
 4,295 
 524 
 1,222 
 252 
 
 900 
 953 
 1,545 
 
 15,833 
 
 Availabls 
 days 
 
 12 
 
 24 
 12 
 
 24 
 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 
 26 
 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 5 
 5 
 5 
 
 26 
 26 
 6 
 
 26 
 
 Required number of 
 workers* 
 
 12 (From 20-30) 
 
 6 
 15 
 
 50 (From 15-30) 
 38 
 
 1 23 (From 15-30) 
 
 138 man-months ^ 
 
 12 
 6 
 14 
 27 
 8 
 
 250 
 
 35 
 69 
 10 
 
 427 man-months j=- 
 
 12 
 6 
 14 
 27 
 
 8 
 
 125 
 47 
 166 
 
 105 (From 24-30) 
 245 (From 24-30) 
 51 (From 24-30) 
 
 35 
 37 
 258 
 
 (From 23-30) 
 (From 23-30) 
 
 609 man-months 1= 
 
 Table continued on next page 
 
4\ 
 
 Tab lc- 3 continued. 
 
 Month 
 
 July- 
 
 August 
 
 CroD and ts.sk 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Re king 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 
 Stacking 
 
 Baling 
 
 Cotton: Weeding (hoeing) 
 
 Irrigating 
 Grain: Harvesting by combine 
 Apricots: Picking 
 
 Cutting for drying 
 
 Other dry-yard labor 
 Peaches -- freestone: Picking for drying 
 
 Cutting for drying 
 
 Other dry-yard work 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 
 Stacking 
 
 Baling 
 Cotton: Irrigating 
 Grain: Harvesting by combine 
 Almonds: Knocking 
 
 Hulling (by machine) 
 Figs: Picking up for drying 
 
 Drying, sorting, fumigating, etc, 
 Grapes: Picking for raisins 
 
 Picking for wineries 
 
 Picking for shipping 
 Peaches — clingstone: Picking (including 
 
 sorting) 
 
 freestone: Picking for drying 
 Cutting for drying 
 Other dry-yard work 
 Picking for fresh use 
 
 
 Output p^r 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 Qi7P of* t^sk 
 
 m£in— d-.y 
 
 man- days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 C , £0 Z/ «-/ at! * 
 
 ft p^tps 
 
 287 
 
 26 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 
 144 
 
 26 
 
 6 
 
 
 O OO'Z '. r* v ... o I 
 
 
 353 
 
 26 
 
 14 
 
 
 c , Q'+o uunb i 
 
 *2 R tone 
 
 699 
 
 26 
 
 27 
 
 
 1 P-~ O +nm c;-4- 
 
 S 0 tnn<5 
 
 204 
 
 26 
 
 8 
 
 
 J-jCjX^u c.crtb 
 
 X W .A' i O o 
 
 1 , 215 
 
 26 
 
 47 
 
 
 
 ^ f* T* A <3 
 
 3,240 
 
 26 
 
 125 
 
 
 oUjUdu acres i 
 
 *? *" (*» v o c? I\ 
 f Ei CI CD O 
 
 
 26 
 
 166 
 
 (From 1-10) 
 
 yio tons 4* 
 
 T 7 rinn H o 
 J- , r pUUIlUb 
 
 
 8 
 
 131 
 
 ota tonq *fl 
 
 .7 X U LiUIIO * 
 
 750 pounds 
 
 2,443 
 
 8 
 
 306 
 
 (From 1-10 ) 
 
 
 || 
 
 504 
 
 13 
 
 39 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 560 
 
 6 
 
 94 
 
 (From 24-31) 
 
 SOA tnn<! i~ 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 504 
 
 6 
 
 84 
 
 (From 24-31) 
 
 PI 0 t nn<! + 
 
 u 
 
 a 
 
 242 
 
 6 
 
 41 
 
 (from 24-31) 
 
 
 
 15 , 737 
 
 26 
 
 606 
 
 man-months^- 
 
 
 8 ^icrcs 
 
 213 
 
 26 
 
 9 
 
 
 X , W 7 V QLU1 Qt}, 
 
 1 6 tiers s 
 
 107 
 
 26 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 262 
 
 26 
 
 11 
 
 
 X , O ?L tuxlo f 
 
 
 455 
 
 26 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 5 . 0 tons 
 
 133 
 
 26 
 
 6 
 
 
 IP ISO prrp«!**t 
 
 5.0 ficre s 
 
 3,240 
 
 26 
 
 125 
 
 (From 1-15) 
 
 
 7 pirrp'i Cf 
 
 2, 148 
 
 13 
 
 166 
 
 8 tons t 
 
 0.25 ton 
 
 32 
 
 13 
 
 3 
 
 (From 15-31) 
 
 8 tons + 
 
 0.25 ton 
 
 32 
 
 13 
 
 3 
 
 (From 15-31) 
 
 tn*ic 
 
 0 25 ton 
 
 132 
 
 13 
 
 11 
 
 PO tnriq 
 
 11 
 
 1 1 
 
 80 
 
 13 
 
 7 
 
 (From 15-31 ] 
 
 Q s PO tnnc: 
 
 1 SO travs 
 
 5,164 
 
 9 
 
 574 
 
 (From 20-31 ] 
 
 ^ PI S t nn<3 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 5,215 
 
 9 
 
 580 
 
 (From 20-31 ] 
 
 od tons 
 
 j. , duu pounas 
 
 oo 
 
 
 7 
 
 (From 15-31) 
 
 2,635 tons t 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 2,635 
 
 22 
 
 120 
 
 (From 5-31) 
 
 2,240 tons 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 2,240 
 
 26 
 
 87 
 
 
 2,016 tons + 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 2,016 
 
 26 
 
 78 
 
 
 910 tons t 
 
 // 
 
 1,046 
 
 26 
 
 41 
 
 
 600 tons 
 
 1,200 pounds 
 
 1,000 
 
 26 
 
 39 
 
 
 
 
 26.233 
 
 26 
 
 1,009 
 
 man-months ^ 
 pi 
 
 Table continued on next page 
 
.' « 
 
4 
 
 Table 3 continued , 
 
 Month 
 
 September 
 
 October 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 Stacking 
 Baling 
 Cotton: Irrigating 
 Picking 
 
 Sorghum for grain: Cutting by hand 
 
 Threshing 
 Almonds: Knocking 
 
 Hulling (by machine) 
 Figs: Picking up for drying 
 
 Drying, sorting, fumigating, etc. 
 urapes: Picking for raisins 
 Picking for wineries 
 Picking for shipping 
 Turning trays 
 Rolling trays 
 Boxing and hauling 
 Olives: Picking for canning 
 Peaches -- clingstone: Picking (including 
 sorting) 
 
 freestone: Other dry-yard work 
 Picking for fresh use 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking by hand 
 
 Stacking 
 
 Baling 
 Cotton: Picking 
 Sorghum for grain: 
 
 Threshing 
 
 Cutting by hand 
 
 Size of task 
 
 1,698 acres i 
 1,698 acres T 
 1,698 acres t 
 1,590 tonst 
 662 tons t 
 12,150 acres**'" 
 7,574 cwt. t + 
 76 acres -f 
 658 sacks t 
 16 tons t 
 16 tons f 
 67 tons 
 60 tons t 
 8,520 tons 
 20,860 tons 
 686 tons 
 15,552 tonst 
 6,390 tons t 
 710 tons t 
 71 tons 
 
 465 tons f 
 
 280 tonst 
 
 600 tons 
 
 1 ,698 acres t 
 1,698 acres t 
 1,698 acres * 
 1,590 tons 
 662 tons t 
 125,024 cwt. 
 228 acres f 
 2,631 sacks i 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 8 acres 
 16 acres 
 6.5 acres 
 3.5 tons 
 5 tons 
 5.0 acres 
 250 pounds 
 0.75 acre 
 100 sacks 
 0.25 ton 
 0.25 ton 
 0.25 ton 
 
 150 trays 
 1.0 ton 
 1,500 pounds 
 1,500 trays 
 1,500 trays 
 2.5 tons 
 400 pounds 
 
 1.0 ton 
 II 
 
 1.200 pounds 
 
 8 acres 
 16 acres 
 6.5 acres 
 3.5 tons 
 5.0 tons 
 250 pounds 
 0.75 acre 
 100 sacks 
 
 Required 
 man- days 
 
 213 
 107 
 262 
 455 
 133 
 3,240 
 3,030 
 102 
 7 
 64 
 64 
 268 
 240 
 5,164 
 20,860 
 915 
 943 
 388 
 284 
 355 
 
 465 
 322 
 1.000 
 
 Available 
 days 
 
 S8.881 
 
 213 
 107 
 262 
 455 
 133 
 50,010 
 304 
 27 
 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 13 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 13 
 26 
 26 
 26 
 17 
 13 
 13 
 
 4 
 8 
 26 
 
 26 
 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 
 Required Number of 
 workers* 
 
 9 
 
 5 
 11 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 125 
 
 234 (From 15-30) 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 3 
 11 
 10 
 
 398 (From 1-15) 
 804 
 
 36 
 
 37 
 
 23 (From 10-30) 
 22 (From 15-30) 
 28 (From 15-30) 
 
 117 (From 
 41 (From 
 
 39 
 
 -5) 
 -10) 
 
 1.496 man-months * 
 
 10 
 5 
 12 
 20 
 6 
 
 2,175 
 14 
 
 2 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 Pi pi 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 ; 
 
 I' y- * - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 l&P€>a.f oils: Qrpet <Jtl-l»l.C} *OLfr 
 1 poxtdS mq pari', 
 
 ■■ 
 
 ij tow 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 
 : 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 — V i 1 1, ' ■] 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 f * 
 
Table 3 
 
 continued. . 
 
 
 Output per 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 man -day 
 
 man- days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 October 
 (cont . ) 
 
 urapes. lurning orcijo 
 Rolling trays 
 Boxing and hauling 
 Picking for wineries 
 Picking for shipping 
 
 Olives: Picking for canning 
 
 3,834 tons r 
 6,390 tons t 
 1,420 tons t 
 20,860 tons 
 1,207 tons 
 284 tons 
 
 1,500 trays 
 1,500 trays 
 2.5 tons 
 1.0 ton 
 1,500 pounds 
 400 Dounds 
 
 233 
 388 
 568 
 20 , 860 
 1,610 
 1.420 
 
 8 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 
 30 (From 1-10) 
 17 
 25 
 907 
 70 
 62 
 
 
 
 
 76.590 
 
 23 
 
 3.330 man-months f- 
 
 November 
 
 Cotton: Picking 
 
 Sorghum for grain: Cutting by hand 
 
 TVi vp oh i n cr 
 
 1 III Colli lig, 
 
 Apricots: Pruning 
 
 Grapes: Picking for wineries 
 
 Picking for shipping 
 Olives: Picking for canning 
 Peaches and nectarines: Pruning 
 
 120,204 cwt. 
 76 acres T 
 1,096 sacks t 
 24 acres f 
 5,215 tons 
 125 tons 
 118 tons 
 36 acres t 
 
 250 pounds 
 0.75 acre 
 100 sacks 
 
 0. 17 acre 
 
 1. C ton 
 1,500 pounds 
 400 pounds 
 0.17 acre 
 
 48,082 
 102 
 11 
 142 
 5,215 
 167 
 590 
 212 
 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 16 
 11 
 
 2,091 
 5 
 1 
 7 
 
 227 
 
 8 
 
 37 (From 1-21) 
 20 (From 15-30) 
 
 
 
 
 54.521 
 
 23 
 
 2.371 man-months* 
 
 December 
 
 Cotton: Picking 
 
 45,930 cwt. 
 190 acres f 
 190 acres t 
 2,183 acresf 
 910 acresf 
 655 acresf 
 17 tons 
 284 acres i 
 284 acres 
 52 acres f 
 
 200 pounds 
 0.17 acre 
 2.5 acres 
 0.5 acre 
 1.5 acres 
 0.66 acre 
 500 pounds 
 0.17 acre 
 2.5 acres 
 0.25 acre 
 
 22,965 
 1,118 
 76 
 4,366 
 607 
 993 
 68 
 1,671 
 114 
 208 
 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 11 
 11 
 11 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 22 
 
 1,044 
 51 
 4 
 
 397 (From 15-31) 
 56 (From 15-31) 
 91 ^rom 10-01/ 
 
 4 
 76 
 6 
 10 
 
 
 Apricots: Pruning 
 
 Brush disposal 
 Grapes -- Thompson, Sultana, Zante: Pruning 
 
 Wrapping and tying 
 
 Other varieties: Pruning 
 Olives: Picking for oil 
 Peaches and nectarines: Pruning 
 
 Brush burning 
 Plums: Pruning 
 
 
 I 
 
 32.186 
 
 22 
 
 1,463 man-months^ 
 
 * On monthly basis unless otherwise noted. 
 
 t Estimated portion of the job done by seasonal workers. 
 
 ♦ It should be noted that this figure, rather than representing the required number of individuals, represents the 
 required man-months of seasonal labor, and is derived by dividing the total number of man-days by the total number of days 
 available for work during the month. 
 
 Table continued on next page. m 
 
I 
 
 
 
 1 1 ft'TW 
 
 
 
 
 
 v ... 
 
 ; III - 
 
 
 
 i^/SS ' j 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 : 
 
 
 j 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 
 
 
4 
 
 4 
 
 Table 3 continued. 
 
 <f Rate for a 12-hour day . 
 <fl Fresh weight. 
 
 Jl Dryine; labor estimated to be as follows: Apricots - 11 man-hours per fresh ton 
 
 Figs - 40 man-hours per dry ton 
 
 Peaches - 11.5 man-hours per fresh ton 
 
 ** The total acreage is irrigated once each month, and one-third of it is irrigated twice each month. 
 
 it Seed cotton — 1,350 pounds to the bale before the frost and 1,500 pounds after the frost. 
 
15. 
 
 TABLE 4 
 
 Summary of Seasonal Labor Needs by Months 
 Madera County 
 1935 
 
 Month 
 
 Required man-days 
 of seasonal labor 
 
 Available 
 days 
 
 Required man-months 
 of seasonal labor 
 
 January 
 
 35,028 
 
 20 
 
 1,752 
 
 February 
 
 20,270 
 
 21 
 
 966 
 
 March 
 
 3,629 
 
 21 
 
 173 
 
 April 
 
 3,300 
 
 24 
 
 138 
 
 May 
 
 11,090 
 
 26 
 
 427 
 
 June 
 
 15,833 
 
 26 
 
 609 
 
 July 
 
 15,737 
 
 26 
 
 606 
 
 August 
 
 26,233 
 
 26 
 
 1,009 
 
 September 
 
 38,881 
 
 26 
 
 1,496 
 
 October 
 
 76,590 
 
 23 
 
 3,330 
 
 November 
 
 54,521 
 
 23 
 
 2,371 
 
 December 
 
 32,186 
 
 22 
 
 1,463 
 
 Total 
 
 333,298 
 
 
 14,340 
 
 Notes 
 
 Notes on Table 2 . — Data concerning "time of need" as shown in this table 
 break down required seasonal labor into the period in which the work 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 75 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 wore also used when available. 
 
 Notes on Table 3 .~- Table 3 is the condensed summary of labor needs as worked 
 out for Madera County as a result of findings pertinent to 1935. The data are pre- 
 sented 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 appoaring in 
 table 1 (acreage and production) and table 2 (task, time of performance, and percent- 
 age of work pertinent to a given month) . The output per man-day was 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 two 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 Weather Bureau for the years 1933, 1934, and 1935. These 
 data indicated available days per month as follows (based on a 26-day working month 
 without allowance for holidays): 
 
";'.".d." J 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 • 
 
 } 
 
 I i 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 i 
 • 
 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 
 
16. 
 
 
 Available 
 
 Length of 1 
 
 
 Available 
 
 Length of 
 
 Month 
 
 days 
 
 work day 
 
 Month 
 
 days 
 
 work day 
 
 
 
 hours 
 
 
 
 hours 
 
 January 
 
 20 
 
 9 
 
 July 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 February 
 
 21 
 
 9 
 
 August 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 March 
 
 21 
 
 10 
 
 September 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 April 
 
 24 
 
 10 
 
 October 
 
 23 
 
 10 
 
 May 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 November 
 
 23 
 
 9 
 
 June 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 December 
 
 22 
 
 9 
 
 Source of data: Based on precipitation records of the Madera 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 out those cars efficiently. If a field operation had to bo per- 
 formed in a period loss than the number of available days in the month, then the spe- 
 cific number of days was noted. These restrictions are shown in parentheses . For 
 example, in July the picking of apricots v/as limited to the first ten days of the 
 month, picking poaches to the last week, etc. 
 
 The totals of table 3 show 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 Madera County, involving a variety of annual crops, the 
 findings as set forth in this report are bound to fluctuate materially from year to 
 year, because of the market outlook upon what and how much acreage is planted, and 
 when it is planted; because of variable seasonal conditions affecting yields, time of 
 performing operations, and available days; and because of harvesting operations on 
 certain crops being speeded up to supply a good market, or retarded to avoid a poor 
 one, resulting; in marked variations in the need for harvest labor. 
 
4 
 
 i