University of California 
 College of Agriculture 
 Agricultural Experiment Station 
 Berkeley, California 
 
 > 
 
 SEASONAL LABOR NEEDS FOR CALIFORNIA CROPS 
 YOLO COUNTY 
 (Excluding Delta Lands) 
 Progress Report No. 57 
 by 
 
 R. L. Adams 
 Preliminary -* Subject to Correction 
 October, 1936 
 
 ' Contribution from the 
 Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics 
 Mimeographed Report No. 53 
 
«3* 
 
 A ■' 
 
(Farm Labor Survey — July-December, 1936) 
 
 Progress Report No. 57 
 
 Seasonal Labor Needs of California Crops 
 
 Yolo County 
 (Excluding Delta Lands) 
 
 Scope of Presentation . — The following considerations govern the present- 
 ation 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 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, 
 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 
 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. 
 
 Brief Description of the Area . — Yolo County is situated in the southwestern 
 part of the Sacramento Valley, Woodland, the county seat, located near the center 
 of the county, being 16 miles northwest of the city of Sacramento, and 70 miles 
 northeast of San Francisco. It lies entirely on the west side of the Sacramento 
 River, which forms its eastern boundary about 50 miles long, and separates it from 
 Sutter and Sacramento counties. On the north it joins Colusa County, the boundary 
 line running west about 30 miles from the river to tho Vaca mountains, which ox- 
 tend in a southeasterly direction and divide it from Lake and Napa counties on the 
 west. On the south Putah Creek forms the line between Yolo and Solano countios 
 for about 22 miles eastward from the mountains. Tho line then runs south for 
 about E miles and east about 6 miles to the Sacramento River. The county contains 
 an area of 648,960 acres, of which 408,218 acres are classified as available for 
 crops by the 1935 Census. This is further classified as follows by the census s 
 
 Acreage 
 
 Crop land harvested 
 Crop failure (1934 season) 
 Crop land idle or fallow 
 Plowable pasture 
 
 243,417 
 1,978 
 
 59,445 
 103,378 
 
 Total land available 
 
 for crops 
 
 408,218 
 
Practically all of the county east of the hills along the western boundary 
 is farmed, wheat and barley occupying the largest acreage. Where irrigation water 
 is available, sugar beets, tomatoes, lettuce, and other crops are extensively grown. 
 A large acreage is planted to orchards, especially almonds, apricots, prunes, and 
 peaches in several different localities, notably in the vicinity of Winters, Davis, 
 Woodland, Esparto, and Capay Valley. The cultivated lands are mostly below 200 
 feet in elevation, and quite level in topography. 
 
 The soils vary considerably in texture, but are mostly clay loams and clays, 
 only a relatively small part of the area being loams or lighter textures. Prac- 
 tically all are 6 feet or more in depth. Four soil series include most of the 
 agricultural land of the district, although a few others are represented. 
 
 A part of the county lies in the delta of the Sacramento River and is there- 
 fore excluded from this progress report, since the Delta, as a unit, is to be the 
 subject of a separate report. 
 
 Crops, Acreages, and Production . — The basis used in calculating occasional 
 or seasonal need for labor, other than that furnished by farm operators and regu- 
 larly employed workers, appears as tabic 1. This table does not include that 
 portion of tho county which lies in the Delta, sinco the Delta, including portions 
 of five counties, is considered as a separate unit in Progress Report No. 59. Acre- 
 age and production figures shown in table 1 are estimates basod on information ob- 
 tained from various sources, and are bolieved to represent conditions with a fair 
 degree of accuracy. Assistance in compiling this table was givon by Mr. W. D. 
 Norton, Farm Advisor, and Mr. Charles H. Hardy, Agricultural Commissioner, of Yolo 
 County. 
 
 TABLE 1 
 
 Basis for Calculating Soasonal Labor Roquiromonts 
 Yolo County (Excluding Delta) 
 
 Crops 
 
 Acreage 
 
 Production 
 
 Field crops: 
 
 
 
 Alfalfa 
 
 13,000 
 
 65,000 tons 
 
 Beans 
 
 1,000 
 
 15,000 sacks 
 
 Grain (wheat, barley, and oats) 
 
 128,000 
 
 
 Hay, other than alfalfa 
 
 9,000 
 
 12,000 tons 
 
 Rice 
 
 9,500 
 
 332,500 sacks 
 
 Sugar beets 
 
 14,935 
 
 224,025 tons 
 
 Hops 
 
 400 
 
 3,600 bales of 200 pounds (dry 
 weight)* 
 
 Vegetable crops: 
 
 
 
 Lettuce - spring 
 
 600 
 
 120,000 crates 
 
 - fall 
 
 500 
 
 100,000 crates 
 
 Melons — honeydew 
 
 300 
 
 96,000 crates 
 
 Peas - spring 
 
 600 
 
 45,000 hampers 
 
 Tomatoes — canning 
 
 2,800 
 
 22,400 tons 
 
 shipping 
 
 200 
 
 11,200 packed lugs 
 
 Fruit and nut crops: 
 
 
 
 Almonds* 
 
 7,500 
 
 1,295 tons 
 
 Apples* 
 
 8 
 
 
 Apricots 
 
 2,200 
 
 (1,066 tons sold fresh 
 
 
 (1,952 tons frosh weight, dried* 
 
 Cherries* 
 
 57 
 
 
 Table continued on next page . 
 
3. 
 
 Table 1 continued. 
 
 Crops 
 
 Acreage 
 
 Production 
 
 Fruit and nut crops (cont.): 
 
 
 
 Figs (mostly Mission) 
 
 1,359 
 
 (900 tons dry 
 
 (13,800 crates fresh — first crop) t 
 
 Grapes — table and raisin 
 
 700 
 
 (10,000 lugs table varieties)ll6,000 
 
 
 (106,000 lugs wine varieties) lugs 
 
 shipped 
 
 wine 
 
 1,500 
 
 6,950 tons for juice 
 
 Olives 
 
 391 
 
 (264 tons for canning 4* 
 
 
 
 (280 tons not for canning 
 
 (540 tons clingstone varieties S 
 
 Peaches — clingstone) 
 
 1,468 
 
 ) 
 
 
 (3,600 tons shipped fresh <fl 
 
 freestone ) 
 
 
 (2,750 tons fresh weight dried* 
 
 Pears, Bartlett 
 
 500 
 
 500 tons // 
 
 Plums 
 
 450 
 
 130 tons (10 cars shipped in 1935) 
 
 Prune s 
 
 2,300 
 
 7,538 tons fresh weight dried = 
 3,350 tons dry weight* 
 
 Walnuts 
 
 268 
 
 322,650 pounds** 
 
 * Drying ratios estimated to be as follows: 
 
 Apricots 5.5 to 1 
 
 Peaches 5.5 to 1 
 
 Prunes 2.25 to 1 
 
 Hops 4 to 1 
 
 "J" Nine carloads of 1,200 flats figs sent by truck to San Francisco in 1935, 
 and about 3,000 flats to Sacramento. Amount to other placed, if any, not known. 
 
 =f Olive production estimated by California Olive Association. 
 
 ^ About 80 tons (fresh weight) of cling peaches were dried. 
 
 <fl About 317 cars peaches were shipped fresh, amounting to about 3,600 tons. 
 
 J/ A full pear crop would be about 2,500 tons. 
 
 ** Walnut production figured as follows: 
 
 Estimate of merchantable walnuts by Walnut Control Board 267,800 pounds 
 Plus estimated percentage of culls — 17 per cent 54,850 p ounds 
 
 Total 322,650 pounds 
 
 Operations Requiring Seasonal Labor and Times of Need . — Farm operations 
 requiring the use of seasonal labor for the various crops raised in Yolo County 
 (excluding that part of the county lying in the Delta) are indicated in table 2. 
 This table does not include the employing of shed workers needed to wash, pack, 
 and prepare various commodities for shipping and marketing. 
 
TABLE 2 
 
 4. 
 
 Operations Requiring Use of Seasonal Labor and Times of Needs by Crops 
 Yolo County (Excluding Delta Lands) 
 
 
 Ope ration 
 
 Time of need by months 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 Field crops: 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Alfalfa 
 
 Mowing 
 
 Apr. 1 ) five-sevenths, of 
 
 66 
 
 
 7.5 acres* 
 
 
 Raking 
 
 to ) acreage each 
 
 66 
 
 
 15 acres 
 
 
 Shocking 
 
 Oct. 31) month 
 
 66 
 
 
 30 acres 
 
 
 Baling — 
 
 Apr. 1 ) one -seventh of- 
 
 90 
 
 
 4 tons 
 
 
 85 per cent 
 
 to ) job saoh 
 
 
 
 
 
 of crop 
 
 Oct. 31) month 
 
 
 
 
 Beans 
 
 Hoeing — 
 
 July — all acreage 
 
 100 
 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 
 once 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i X A J. I i £i 
 
 Aug.iiu— ou — — j.u per cenoj 
 
 100 
 
 
 2 acres 
 
 
 
 of acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sept. 1-30 -- 70 per cent) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Oct. 1-15 — 20 per cent) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Threshing — 
 
 Sept. 1-30 — 60 per cent) 
 
 50 
 
 
 4.5 acres 
 
 
 by pick-up 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 combine 
 
 Oct. 1-31 — 40 per cent ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 Grain 
 
 Harvesting 
 
 June — 70 per cent of ) 
 
 80 
 
 
 5 acres 
 
 
 
 acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 July — 30 per cent of ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 Hay, other 
 
 Mowing 
 
 May — all acreage 
 
 80 
 
 
 7.5 acres 
 
 than alfalfa 
 
 Raking 
 
 May -- all acreage 
 
 80 
 
 
 15 acres 
 
 
 Shocking 
 
 May — all acreage 
 
 80 
 
 
 30 acres 
 
 
 Baling — 50 
 
 May — 50 per cent of job) 
 
 90 
 
 
 5 tons 
 
 
 per cent of 
 
 June — 50 per cent of job) 
 
 
 
 
 
 tonnage 
 
 
 
 
 
 Rice 
 
 Cutting and 
 
 Sept. 15-30 ~ 33 per cent) 
 
 50 
 
 
 10 acres 
 
 
 windrowing 
 
 of acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 with header 
 
 Oct. 1-31 — 66 per cent ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 Threshing with 
 
 Sept. 15-30 — 20 per cent) 
 
 50 
 
 
 4.5 acres 
 
 
 pick-up com- 
 
 of acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 bine 
 
 Oct. 1-31 -- 80 per cent ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 of acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 Picking up 
 
 Sept. 15-30 -- 20 per cent) 
 
 100 
 
 
 500 sacks 
 
 
 sacks and 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 hauling' from 
 
 Oct. 1-31 ~ 80 per cent ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 field 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 Table continued on next page . 
 
1 
 
 i 
 
Table 2 continued. 5. 
 
 
 
 
 Per cent of 
 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Time of need by months 
 
 work done by 
 
 Output per 
 
 
 
 
 seasonal help 
 
 man- day 
 
 r 16 iu orops • 
 
 
 
 
 
 ( C03Xt • ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 iviar • —~ jlo per cum; 01 / 
 
 t on 
 
 1UU 
 
 u . o acre 
 
 
 
 acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 Apr. 66 por cent of; 
 
 
 
 
 
 acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 May -- lo per cent; ox) 
 
 
 
 
 
 acreage ) 
 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 iioe ing -- 
 
 May -- all of acreage ) 
 
 luu 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 
 twice 
 
 Juno — all of acroago) 
 
 
 
 
 Topping and 
 
 July 11 per cent of) 
 
 1UU 
 
 o tons 
 
 
 loading 
 
 crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 Aug. — 40 por cent of) 
 
 
 
 
 
 crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sept. — 26 por cent of) 
 
 
 
 
 
 crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 Oct. -- 23 per cent of; 
 
 
 
 
 
 crop ) 
 
 
 
 Hops 
 
 Training vines 
 
 TUT 1 71 ft JLJ \ 
 
 May 1-31 2 time s on ) 
 
 70 
 
 lotal of 6 
 
 
 vinos 
 
 an acreage ; 
 
 
 man— ua v s po r 
 
 
 3 times 
 
 June 1-15 — 1 time on ) 
 
 
 acre vu.o 
 
 
 
 all acreage) 
 
 
 aero each 
 
 
 
 
 
 time ) 
 
 
 Picking 
 
 Aug./-31 — all oi crop 
 
 100 
 
 200 pounds - 
 
 
 
 
 
 green woight 
 
 
 Drying 
 
 Aug./-oi — all ot crop 
 
 OO 
 
 <c,oOu pounas 
 
 
 
 
 
 grocn weight 
 
 
 Baling 
 
 Sept. 1-7 -- all oi crop 
 
 50 
 
 12 bales 01 
 
 
 
 
 
 duu pounas 
 
 
 
 
 
 dry woight 
 
 Vegetable crops: 
 
 
 
 
 
 Lettuce 
 
 • 
 
 Thinning 
 
 Fob. all of acroage 
 
 1UU 
 
 0.5 acres 
 
 (spring) 
 
 Hoomg 
 
 Mar. — all of acreage 
 
 100 
 
 1 .0 acre 
 
 
 Cutting 
 
 JViay 1-15 -- all of spring; 
 
 100 
 
 21 crates 
 
 (fall) 
 
 
 crop ) 
 
 
 (packod) 
 
 Thinning 
 
 Sept. — all of acroago 
 
 100 
 
 0.5 aero 
 
 
 Hoeing 
 
 Oct. — all of acreage 
 
 100 
 
 1.0 aero 
 
 
 Cutting 
 
 Nov. 10-30 — 50 por cent ; 
 
 100 
 
 21 packod 
 
 
 
 oi i ail crop; 
 
 
 crates 
 
 
 
 Doc . 1-15 — 50 per cent ; 
 
 
 
 
 
 oi laii crop; 
 
 
 
 Melons — 
 
 Planting -with 
 
 Apr. — all acroage 
 
 100 
 
 2 acres 
 
 honcydew 
 
 job planter 
 
 
 
 
 
 Thinning and 
 
 May — all acroago 
 
 1UU 
 
 1 acre 
 
 
 hooing 
 
 
 
 
 
 Hooing once 
 
 Juno 15-30 — all acreage 
 
 100 
 
 2 acres 
 
 
 iUIillilg V1.L1U5 — — 
 
 T\jTmr T ^ mm nl 1 r\ f* yet nrro 1 
 JVU.y XO — d\J — — ui auiucl^O^ 
 
 J- W W 
 
 
 
 twice 
 
 July 1-15 — all acroage) 
 
 
 
 
 Dusting — 
 
 Apr o 20) at intervals of 
 
 100 
 
 10 acres 
 
 
 15 times 
 
 to ) 7 to 10 days 
 
 
 
 
 
 Aug. 1 ) 
 
 
 
 Table continued on next page « 
 
• 
 
 ■ 
 
 ( 
 
 ( • i 
 
Table 2 continued. 
 
 6. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Vegetable crops 
 (cont . ) 
 Melons — 
 Honeydew 
 (cont . ) 
 
 Peas — spring^ 
 
 Tomatoes 
 
 ruit and nut 
 crops : 
 Almonds 
 
 Apricots 
 
 Operation 
 
 Picking 
 
 loemg 
 once 
 
 Picking 
 
 Transplant- 
 ing — in 
 
 beds 
 
 Hoeing -- 
 
 twice 
 Picking — f or 
 
 shipping 
 
 Picking-- for 
 cannery 
 
 Hauling — to 
 cannery 
 
 Knocking 
 
 Hulling — 
 by machine 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Time of need . by months 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Aug. 1-31 — 55 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 Sept. 1-30 — 34 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 Oct. 1-20 — 11 per cent 
 • of crop 
 
 May — 86 per cent of crop 
 Feb. 15-28 — all of job 
 
 Apr. 20-30 ■ 
 May 1-15 — 
 
 Oct. 1-31 — 
 
 Aug. 15-31 — 
 
 Sept. 1-30 — 
 
 Oct. 1-31 — 
 
 Aug. 15-31 - 
 
 Sept. 1-30 — 
 
 Oct. 1-31 — 
 
 ■- all acreage) 
 all acreage ) 
 
 all of ship- 
 ments 
 
 20 per cent 
 of crop 
 45 per cent 
 of crop 
 35 per cent 
 of crop 
 - 20 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 
 45 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 35 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 
 Aug. 1-31 ■ 
 Sept. 1-30 ■ 
 Aug. 1-31 — 
 Sept. 1-30 ■ 
 
 - 50 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 - 50 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 50 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 - 50 per cent 
 of crop 
 
 Nov. — 75 per cent of ) 
 acreage ) 
 Dec. — 25 per cent of ) 
 acreage ) 
 
 ) 
 
 100 
 
 Feb. — 50 per cent of) 
 acreage ) 
 
 Mar. — 50 per cent of) 
 acreage ) 
 
 Apr. — 14 per cent of crop) 100 
 
 100 
 
 80 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 Output per 
 man-day 
 
 140 crates 
 
 Varies great* 
 ly; average 
 about 20 
 hours per 
 acre 
 
 10 hampers 
 
 5,000 plants 
 
 2 acres 
 
 45 lugs of 
 50 pounds 
 2,000 pounds 
 
 15 tons 
 
 (varies 
 greatly) 
 275 pounds 
 
 500 oounds 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
7. 
 
 Table 2 continued. 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal hel p 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Time : of need , by months 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 Fruit and nut 
 crops (cont.) 
 Apricots 
 (cont .) 
 
 Figs 
 
 Grapes 
 
 Olives 
 
 Thinning 
 
 Picking 
 
 Cutting for 
 drying 
 
 Other dry- 
 yard labor 
 
 Picking ( for 
 frosh ship- 
 ment) — 
 first orop 
 
 Picking up for 
 drying — 
 second crop 
 
 Gassing, drying 
 sorting, and 
 sacking 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Apr. 15-30 
 May 1-15 - 
 Juno 15-30 
 July 1-15 - 
 June 15-30 
 July 1-15 - 
 June 15-30 
 July 1-20 - 
 
 June 
 
 — 50 per cent) 
 of acreage ) 
 
 50 per cent ) 
 of acreage ) 
 
 — 70 per cont) 
 of crop ) 
 
 — 30 por cent ) 
 of crop ) 
 
 -- 70 per cent) 
 of orop ) 
 
 — 30 per cent ) 
 of crop ) 
 
 — 60 per cont) 
 of job ) 
 
 40 per cent ) 
 of job ) 
 
 Picking and 
 packing for 
 shipmont 
 
 Picking for 
 juice 
 
 Picking for 
 pickling 
 
 job 
 
 Dec. — 25 per cent of 
 
 aero age 
 Jan. — 25 por cont of 
 
 acreage 
 Feb. — 25 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 Mar. — 25 per cent of) 
 acreago ) 
 Sept. 1-30 — 60 per cont) 
 of crop ) 
 Oct. 1-31 — 40 per cent) 
 of crop ) 
 Sept. — 60 per cont of) 
 crop ) 
 Oct. — 40 per cent of ) 
 crop ) 
 Doc. 1-20 — all of jobfl 
 
 ) 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 20 per cent of) 
 shipments ) 
 July — 80 por cent of) 
 shipments ) 
 Aug. 15-31 — one-third of ) 100 
 
 crop ) 
 Sept. 1-30 — two-thirds of) 
 crop ) 
 Aug. 15-31 — 25 por cent of) 
 job ) 
 Sept. 1-30 — 50 per cont of) 
 job ) 
 Oct. 1-15 — 25 per cont of) 
 
 75 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 1,000 pounds 
 
 600 pounds 
 
 11 hours per 
 fresh ton<^ 
 
 15 flats of 
 12 pounds = 
 180 pounds 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 40 hours per 
 dry ton 
 
 0.66 aoro 
 
 25 lugs of 
 31 pounds = 
 775 pounds 
 
 1.5 tons 
 
 300 pounds 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
V 
 
 I 
 
Table 2 continued. 
 
 8. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Time ; of need by months 
 
 Per cent of 
 work dono by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 Fruit and nut 
 crops (cont.) 
 Olivos 
 (cont . ) 
 
 Peaches 
 
 Pears 
 
 Plums 
 
 Picking for 
 oil 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Thinning 
 
 Picking 
 
 Cutting for 
 drying 
 
 Other dry- 
 yard work 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Brush burning • 
 Picking 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Thinning 
 
 Dec. 15-30 - 
 Jan. 1-31 - 
 
 - one -third of) 
 job 
 
 - two-thirds of 
 job ) 
 
 Nov.) 25 por cent of 
 Doc.) acreage each 
 Jan.) month 
 Fob.) 
 
 Apr. 15-30 — 50 per cont) 
 of acroago ) 
 May 1-15 — 50 per cont) 
 of acreage ) 
 July 20-31 — 10 per cont 
 
 of crop 
 Aug. 1-31 — 80 per cont 
 
 of orop 
 Sept. 1-15 — 10 por cent 
 
 of crop 
 July 20-31 -- 20 por cont 
 of job 
 
 Aug. 1-31 — 80 por cent 
 of job 
 
 July 20-31 — 10 per cent 
 of job 
 
 Aug. 1-31 — 80 per cent 
 of job 
 
 Sopt.1-10 — 10 per cent 
 of job 
 
 Doc.) one-third of acre- 
 Jan.) ago each month 
 Fob.) 
 
 Same time as pruning 
 July 24-31 — 5 por cont 
 
 of crop 
 Aug. 1-31 — 90 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 Sopt. 1-7 -- 5 per cont 
 
 of crop 
 
 Deo.) 25 por cont of 
 Jan.) acreago oach month 
 Fob.) 
 Mar. ) 
 
 Apr. 15-30 — 50 per cent) 
 of job ) 
 May 1-15 — 50 per cont) 
 of job ) 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 0.25 aero 
 
 0.25 aero 
 
 3,000 pounds 
 
 2,000 pounds 
 
 11.5 hours 
 por fresh ^ 
 ton dried 0 
 
 0.20 acres 
 
 4 acres 
 1,400 pounds 
 
 0.5 aero 
 
 0.33 acre 
 
 Table continued on noxt page 
 
Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Time of need by months 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 Fruit and nut 
 
 
 
 
 
 crops (cont.): 
 
 
 
 
 
 Plums 
 
 P icking 
 
 June -- 10 per cent of) 
 
 100 
 
 1,200 pounds 
 
 I, cont. ) 
 
 
 crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 July — 90 per cent of; 
 
 
 
 
 
 crop ) 
 
 
 
 Prunes 
 
 Pruning 50 
 
 Oct.) one-third of acre- 
 
 100 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 
 per cent of 
 
 Nov. ) age each month 
 
 
 
 
 acreage 
 
 Dec .) 
 
 
 
 
 Burning brush 
 
 Same timo as pruning 
 
 100 
 
 4 acres 
 
 
 Picking up 
 
 Aug .15-31 — 25 per cent) 
 
 100 
 
 1,500 pounds 
 
 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sept. 1-30 — 75 per cent) 
 
 
 
 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 Dipping and 
 
 Aug. 15-31 — 25 per cent) 
 
 100 
 
 8.3 hours 
 
 
 drying 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 per fresh 
 
 
 
 Sept. 1-30 75 per cent) 
 
 
 ton driedc^ 
 
 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 
 Walnuts 
 
 Harvesting " 
 
 Sept. 1-30 — 50 por cent) 
 
 80 
 
 200 pounds 
 
 
 ( including 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 hulling) — 
 
 Oct. 1-31 — 50 por cent) 
 
 
 
 
 50 per cent 
 
 of crop ) 
 
 
 
 
 of acreage 
 
 
 
 
 * The use of power-drawn mowers is increasing with a consequent decroaso in the 
 amount of labor needed. Some of those machines can cut 30 acres por day. 
 
 ■+ Figure on 1,200 plants per aero plus about 20 per cont for replanting. 
 
 Tomatoes estimated to pack out 1 lug for ovory fiold lug of 50 pounds. 
 
 ^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. 
 
 A few olivos are sometimes picked in September for green pickling. 
 
 | Walnuts are grown mostly in small acreages, border trees, otc, much of tho 
 harvesting being done by owners. Seasonal labor estimated to bo used on about 
 50 por cent of the acreage only. 
 
 Findings of Soasonal Labor Hoods . — Details and summaries of seasonal labor 
 requirements of Yolo County agriculture arc presented as table 3. The "size of 
 task" are figures drawn from table 1, in terms of cither acreage or output in tons, 
 crates, boxes, or whatovor unit is commonly used. The "output por man-day" is an 
 average figure for tho ontiro aoroago or output figured in crates, hampers, boxes, 
 or other units as indicated in tho tablo . If the work is of a nature that requires 
 a crow different mombers of which perform different tasks, thon the average shown 
 is per man based on tho ontirc crow. Length of day is 9 hours, November to February,* 
 10 hours March to October, unless otherwise statod. Wide variations in output 
 
10. 
 
 occur "between farm and farm, field and field, and season and season, because of 
 differences in soil types, climatic conditions, woods, yiolds, and othor factors 
 influencing tho amount of work that a laborer can perform in a given day. Moreover, 
 the basis of output is a mature, oxporiencod male worker without rofcrcncc to use 
 of women, children, and more or less inoxperioncod holp that is sometimes used in 
 connection with certain of tho tasks requiring uso of seasonal workers . Tho column 
 headed "available days" roflccts (a) limitations set from the period within which 
 tho work must bo performed bocauso of tho nature of tho task, such as transplanting, 
 thinning, wooding, and cutting, and (b) available days as do to rained by weather 
 conditions, inclement weather reducing the number of days when a required task can 
 bo performed. Tho "required number of individuals" is given in terms of workers as 
 noted above in connection with "output per man-day." 
 
 It is probable that tho estimated number of workers required, as recorded in 
 table 3, will often be too low, for tho reason that "peaks" frequently occur, dur- 
 ing which an unusually largo proportion of the job is dono 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 tho total amount of labor (in man-days) 
 remains tho same. 
 
TABLE 3 
 
 Month 
 
 January 
 
 February 
 
 Mar ch 
 
 At)ril 
 
 Crop and task- 
 
 Grapes: Pruning 
 Olives: Picking for oil 
 Peaches: Pruning 
 Pear s: Pruning 
 
 Burning brush 
 Plums : Pruning 
 Tot als 
 
 Lettuce (spring): Thinning 
 Peas (spring): toeing ( once ) 
 Tomatoes: Transplanting f 
 
 Grapes: Pruning 
 Peaches: Pruning 
 Pears: Pruning 
 
 Burning brush 
 Plums: Pruning 
 
 Tot a la 
 
 Sug^r beets: Thinning 
 Let+uce (spring): Hoeing 
 Peas (spHng): Hoeing 
 Grfpes: Pruning 
 Plums: Pruning 
 
 Totals 
 Alfalfa: Mowing f 
 Rfting , f 
 
 Shocking (with rake) + 
 
 Baling t 
 Sugar beets: Thinning 
 Melons (honeydew) : Planting 
 
 with "job" planter 
 
 Dusting (twice) 
 Peas (spring): Packing 
 Tomatoes: Hoeing 
 Apricots: Thinning 
 
 or Needs — Yolo County by Months 
 
 and Tasks 
 
 
 
 
 
 Req\iired 
 
 Ava i la tie 
 
 Required nurrber 
 
 
 Output dpt Tnan— dav 
 
 man -days 
 
 days 
 
 of workers* 
 
 o du acres 
 
 U«uO cl CI G 
 
 833 
 
 18 
 
 47 
 
 1Q7 4- nn «; 
 
 X *7 r v O 
 
 fSOO nminH s 
 
 788 
 
 18 
 
 44 
 
 00/ SCrc S 
 
 O ? R fl r*T* ^ 
 
 V' • ^ c* \^ I C 
 
 1,468 
 
 18 
 
 82 
 
 id f 9. cr es 
 
 
 835 
 
 18 
 
 47 
 
 lo I & Or e s 
 
 A O onrD? 
 
 42 
 
 18 
 
 3 
 
 x it, (Acres 
 
 0 ^ P 
 
 V 1 • V »OI c 
 
 224 
 
 18 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 4,190 
 
 18 
 
 233 mar -months 
 
 P, OO n r» t* P> «; 
 
 0 » B ft r*r e 
 
 1,200 
 
 20 
 
 60 
 
 Ovy V CJ.OI CO 1 
 
 sr»re 
 
 667 
 
 20 
 
 34 
 
 
 ^ OOP nl fin +*<! 
 
 692 
 
 10 
 
 70 (Feb. 15-28) 
 
 p X tUl X- 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 833 
 
 20 
 
 42 
 
 oo i u ci e & 
 
 0 ?S fi r»rp 
 
 1 ,468 
 
 20 
 
 74 
 
 
 0.20 ? xcre 
 
 835 
 
 20 
 
 42 
 
 
 4.0 seres 
 
 42 
 
 20 
 
 2 
 
 xxo r/orca 
 
 
 226 
 
 20 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 5,963 
 
 to ' 
 
 299 man -months 
 
 *? 7 ,QO n r»T *=» «: 
 
 0 S f rr e 
 
 4,780 
 
 22 
 
 217 
 
 D\.AJ <? Crfo 
 
 1 O f> r* y* ^ 
 
 X • t V* I w 
 
 600 
 
 22 
 
 28 
 
 300 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 600 
 
 22 
 
 28 
 
 550 acres 
 
 0.66 acre 
 
 833 
 
 22 
 
 38 
 
 113 a ere s 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 226 
 
 22 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 7,039 
 
 22 
 
 320 mien -month a 
 
 o j leu c^.cr e 5 
 
 7 R la fti" p q 
 
 817 
 
 22 
 
 38 
 
 o , low n cr e B 
 
 xo.vj u '.. r c o 
 
 409 
 
 22 
 
 19 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 30.0 acres 
 
 204 
 
 22 
 
 10 
 
 7,100 tons 
 
 4.0 tons 
 
 1 ,77 5 
 
 22 
 
 81 
 
 9,857 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 19,714 
 
 22 
 
 896 
 
 300 acres 
 
 2.0 acres 
 
 150 
 
 22 
 
 7 
 
 600 acres 
 
 10.0 acres 
 
 60 
 
 8 
 
 8 (Apr. 20-30) 
 
 6,300 hampers 
 
 10.0 hampers 
 
 630 
 
 10 
 
 63 (for 10 days) 
 
 3,000 acres 
 
 2.0 a cr es 
 
 1,500 
 
 8 
 
 189 (Apr. 20-30) 
 
 1,100 acres 
 
 0.5 a cr e 
 
 2,200 
 
 22 
 
 100 
 
 Table continued on next page, 
 
r 
 
 • - . • 
 
 4 
 
* 
 
 Table 3 continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Recju ir e <J 
 
 Ave i 1 a b 1 e 
 
 Kequired number 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man— day 
 
 ITital — U V. y 5 
 
 days 
 
 of workers* 
 
 April 
 
 Peaches: Thinning 
 
 734 acres 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 ^ , 93b 
 
 11 
 
 267 
 
 (Apr. 15-30) 
 
 (cont . ) 
 
 Plums: Thinning 
 
 225 acres 
 
 0.33 acre 
 
 o n 
 
 682 
 
 1 1 
 
 62 
 
 (Apr. 15-30) 
 
 
 Tot al s 
 
 
 
 Ol , U / f 
 
 
 1 ,41? 
 
 man-months 
 
 May- 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing f 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 7.5 acres 
 
 Q17 
 
 
 33 
 
 
 Re king T 
 
 b, 130 acres 
 
 15 . 0 a.cr es 
 
 a ric 
 
 CO 
 
 1 r 
 
 
 
 Shocking (with rake)"'" 
 
 6 ,130 acres 
 
 ou.u acres 
 
 cU*t 
 
 CO 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 Bal mg +■ 
 
 r , iV\ 1 tons 
 
 x on s 
 
 
 
 71 
 
 
 
 Hoy (other then ^ If f 1 If c ; : Mowing 7 
 
 (,c00 acres 
 
 7.5 .acres 
 
 
 9 C 
 
 39 
 
 
 
 Raking f 
 
 f ,cOO acres 
 
 15.0 acres 
 
 
 9 C 
 
 c5 
 
 20 
 
 
 
 Shocking (with rake } » 
 
 7,200 acres 
 
 30.0 acres 
 
 
 9 C 
 ICO 
 
 10 
 
 
 
 Bal ing -f 
 
 O 1 A A 4_ „ 
 
 c , ! 00 t on s 
 
 o. 0 ton s 
 
 
 9 1; 
 
 CO 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 Sugar beets: Thinning 
 
 2,688 acres 
 
 0.5 a cr e 
 
 5 ,3 
 
 o c 
 
 25 
 
 216 
 
 
 
 Hoeing (twice; 
 
 14,935 acres 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 y , yo / 
 
 9 c: 
 c5 
 
 399 
 
 
 
 Hops: Training vines (twice) t 
 
 560 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 1 , 1^0 
 
 c5 
 
 45 
 
 (May 1-15) 
 
 
 Lettuce (spring): Cutting 
 
 lc 0,000 crates 
 
 <:l.O crates 
 
 Of f 10 
 
 1 9 
 
 lc 
 
 477 
 
 
 Melons (honeydew) : Thinning 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and hoeing 
 
 300 acres 
 
 1.0 acre 
 
 ? A A 
 
 300 
 
 9 C 
 
 cb 
 
 12 
 
 (May 15-31; 
 
 
 Turning vines 
 
 300 acres 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 O AA 
 
 cOO 
 
 13 
 
 15 
 
 
 Dusting (five times) 
 
 1,500 acres 
 
 10.0 acres 
 
 i c;a 
 
 9 1; 
 CO 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 Pecs (spring): Picking 
 
 oo , (00 hampers 
 
 10.0 hampers 
 
 0 , o ' U 
 
 9 1; 
 CO 
 
 155 
 
 (May 1-15; 
 
 
 Toms toes: Hoeing 
 
 3,000 acres 
 
 2 .0 acre s 
 
 1 C A A 
 
 1 ,5U0 
 
 T 9 
 
 lc 
 
 12 5 
 
 
 Apricots: Thinning 
 
 1,100 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 O OA A 
 
 C, <c00 
 
 T 9 
 
 lc 
 
 184 
 
 (May 1-15) 
 
 
 Peaches: Thinning 
 
 f o4 acres 
 
 u.cu a ere 
 
 
 1 9 
 
 lc 
 
 245 
 
 (May 1-15; 
 
 
 Plums: Thinning 
 
 225 a ores 
 
 0.33 a or? 
 
 ^? o o 
 
 682 
 
 T 9 
 
 lc 
 
 53 
 
 (May 1-15) 
 
 
 Tota Is 
 
 
 
 oy, ftoi 
 
 9 t; 
 CO 
 
 1 ,578 
 
 man -months 
 
 June 
 
 Alf al fa : Mowing f 
 
 o,130 acres 
 
 7.5 acres 
 
 Oil 
 
 9 P. 
 
 CO 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 Raking f 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 15.0 acres 
 
 /! AA 
 
 4oy 
 
 9 ^ 
 
 ct 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 Shocking (with rake) 1" 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 30.0 ecres 
 
 204 
 
 cb 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 Baling T 
 
 7,100 tons 
 
 4.0 tons 
 
 1 , ! lb 
 
 cb 
 
 oy 
 
 
 
 Grain: Harvesting "t 
 
 71 ,680 acres 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 14,336 
 
 2b 
 
 568 
 
 
 
 nay (.other than alia, lia;: Baling t 
 
 c , < kV tons 
 
 o.u Tons 
 
 f 4U 
 
 C (J 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 Sugar beets: Hoeing (twice) 
 
 14,935 acres 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 9,957 
 
 26 
 
 384 
 
 (June 1-15) 
 
 
 Hops: Training vines (once)1" 
 
 280 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 560 
 
 13 
 
 43 
 
 
 Melons (honeydew): Hoeing (once) 
 
 300 acres 
 
 2.0 acres 
 
 150 
 
 13 
 
 12 
 
 (June 15-30) 
 
 
 Dusting (four times) 
 
 1,200 acres 
 
 10.0 acres 
 
 120 
 
 26 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 Apricots: Picking 
 
 | 2, 11S tons 
 
 1,000 pounds 
 
 4,226 
 
 13 
 
 327 
 
 (June 15-30) 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
 i— > 
 
 ro 
 
( 
 
4 
 
 Table 8 continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Reauired 
 
 Ave liable 
 
 Required number 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 bize ol ta sk 
 
 Output per man -day 
 
 men-days 
 
 days 
 
 of workers* 
 
 June 
 
 Aprico+s (cont.): Cutting for 
 
 1 ,366 tons 
 
 600 pounds 
 
 4 , ooo 
 
 
 351 
 
 (June 15-30) 
 
 ( cont . ) 
 
 dry i ng 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Other dry-yard labor 
 
 1,171 tons 
 
 S 
 
 1 ,301 
 
 1? 
 
 100 
 
 (June 15-30) 
 
 
 tigs: Picking (for fresh 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 shipment -- first crop) 
 
 *c, /oO i lats 
 
 15.0 flats 
 
 lo4 
 
 26 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 Plums: Picking 
 
 13 tons 
 
 1,200 pounds 
 
 22 
 
 26 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Total s 
 
 
 
 39 , 154 
 
 T2 
 
 26 
 
 1,506 
 
 man -months 
 
 July 
 
 Alfalfa: Mowing f 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 7.5 acres 
 
 817 
 
 26 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 Raking f 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 15.0 Peres 
 
 409 
 
 2c 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 Shocking (with rake)1" 
 
 o,lo(' acres 
 
 30.0 acres 
 
 204 
 
 26 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 Ba] ing 1" 
 
 7,100 tons 
 
 4.0 tons 
 
 1 ,775 
 
 26 
 
 69 
 
 
 
 Beans: Hoeing (once) 
 
 1,000 reres 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 400 
 
 26 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 Grain: Harvesting f 
 
 30,720 ficres 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 6,144 
 
 26 
 
 237 
 
 
 
 Sugar beets: Topping end loading 
 
 24,643 tons 
 
 6.0 tons 
 
 4 ,107 
 
 26 
 
 159 
 
 
 
 Velons (honeydew) : Turning vines 
 
 300 acres 
 
 1.5 acres 
 
 200 
 
 13 
 
 16 
 
 (July 1-15) 
 
 
 Dusting (four times) 
 
 1,200 acres 
 
 10.0 acres 
 
 120 
 
 26 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 Apricots: Picking 
 
 905 tons 
 
 1,000 pounds 
 
 1 ,810 
 
 13 
 
 140 
 
 (July 1-15) 
 
 
 Cutting for drying 
 
 5oo tons 
 
 600 pounds 
 
 1 ,953 
 
 13 
 
 151 
 
 (July 1-15) 
 
 
 Other dry-vs rd labor 
 
 781 tons 
 
 x 
 f 
 
 868 
 
 17 
 
 52 
 
 (July 1-20) 
 
 
 if 3 gs i ricking^ior iresn snipment.-- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 first crop) 
 
 1 1 ,uiu J la t s 
 
 10«U I if-t S 
 
 7 *Z 
 IOC 
 
 C D 
 
 29 
 
 
 
 Peaches: kicking 
 
 do y x on s 
 
 o , uui ; pouno s 
 
 / c; q 
 
 y 
 
 51 
 
 (July 20-31) 
 
 
 Cutting for drying 
 
 566 tons 
 
 2 ,000 pound s 
 
 566 
 
 9 
 
 63 
 
 (July 20-31) 
 
 
 other dry vsrd work 
 
 283 tons 
 
 X 
 
 325 
 
 9 
 
 37 
 
 (July 20-31) 
 
 
 Pe^rs: Picking 
 
 25 tons 
 
 1,400 pounds 
 
 36 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 (July 24-31) 
 
 
 Plums: Picking 
 
 117 t on s 
 
 1,200 pounds 
 
 195 
 
 26 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 Total s 
 
 
 
 21 ,124 
 
 26 
 
 813 
 
 man-months 
 
 August 
 
 Alfalfa : Mowing T 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 7.5 acres 
 
 817 
 
 26 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 {V„ ]_1 _u 
 
 "ekmg T 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 15.0 acres 
 
 409 
 
 26 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 Shocking (with rake J l 
 
 6,130 seres 
 
 30.n seres 
 
 204 
 
 26 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 Baling f 
 
 7,100 tons 
 
 4.0 tons 
 
 1 ,775 
 
 26 
 
 69 
 
 
 
 Poon c * P i 1 i n it 
 Dcollo • * X J. X 11 tL 
 
 1 M It *"i ft Ml Cm 1 
 
 C « \J Ct Cl P 5 
 
 RA 
 
 Q 
 
 6 
 
 (Aug. 20-31) 
 
 
 Sugar beets: Topping and loading 
 
 89,610 tons q, 
 
 6.0 tons 
 
 14,935 
 
 26 
 
 575 
 
 
 
 Hops: Picking 
 
 2 ,880,000 pounds 
 
 200 pounds % 
 
 14,400 
 
 21 
 
 686 
 
 (Aug. 7-31) 
 
 
 Drying T 
 
 1,440,000 IbfiH 
 
 2,800 pounds • 
 
 514 
 
 21 
 
 25 
 
 
 
 Melons (honeydew): Picking 
 
 52,800 crates 
 
 140 cretes 
 
 378 
 
 26 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 Tomatoes: Picking for cannery 
 
 4,480 tons 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 4,480 
 
 13 
 
 345 
 
 (Aug. 15-31) 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
1 
 
 
 
 
 
 '> 
 
 : . - • . 
 
 
 v * 
 
 B 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 * i > - ■■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I ' -| Ml..'\~. 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 . 
 
4 
 
 Tnble 3 continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Ava liable 
 
 Required number 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of ta sk 
 
 Output p^r man-day 
 
 mm-d-^y s 
 
 dr:ys 
 
 of 1 
 
 worker s 
 
 ■i 
 
 
 Tomntop < ? 'rent . 1* Hrulinff "bo 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (i>.Ug . 
 
 15-31) 
 
 ( cor 4- • ) 
 
 r» n vi & y \t 
 
 '•■--iii o» y 
 
 4,480 tons 
 
 15.0 tons 
 
 299 
 
 13 
 
 23 
 
 
 648 tons 
 
 27.5 pounds 
 
 4,628 
 
 26 
 
 178 
 
 
 
 
 - ! L* _L _L L j. , J_. V 1 -",/ III*. UIIXIKj y « 
 
 324 tons 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 1,296 
 
 26 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 
 Figs: Picking up for drying 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (ivUg . 
 
 15-31) 
 
 
 ( cpf»on^ pron 1 
 
 v o *> v.' 1 / i i i v y / 
 
 300 tons 
 
 0.25 tons 
 
 1,200 
 
 13 
 
 93 
 
 
 pTneeirKT Hrvinc sort in? 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (Aug. 
 
 15-31) 
 
 
 will.. lilt 1 
 
 169 tons 
 
 4 
 
 676 
 
 13 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 5,512 tons 
 
 3,000 pounds 
 
 3,675 
 
 26 
 
 142 
 
 
 
 
 Cni""M nf for drvine; 
 
 2,264 tons 
 
 £ ,000 pounds 
 
 2,264 
 
 26 
 
 88 
 
 
 
 
 Other drv vt(3 work 
 
 2,264 tons 
 
 
 2,602 
 
 26 
 
 101 
 
 
 
 
 Peers! Picking 
 
 450 tons 
 
 1,400 pounds 
 
 643 
 
 26 
 
 25 
 
 (Aug . 
 
 15-31) 
 
 
 Prunes: Picking up 
 
 1,884 tons 
 
 1,500 pounds 
 
 2,512 
 
 13 
 
 194 
 
 
 T)i nnirin' find H T* V 1 n P* 
 
 1,884 tons 
 
 
 1,570 
 
 13 
 
 121 
 
 
 15-31) 
 
 
 1 u I CI x o 
 
 
 
 59 .327 
 
 26 
 
 2,282 
 
 men-months 
 
 S \. ' * ■ v ^ 1 . 1 U 1 1 
 
 Alfalfa: Moving t 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 7.5 feres 
 
 817 
 
 26 
 
 32 
 
 
 
 
 Rr-king t 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 15.0 acres 
 
 409 
 
 26 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 Shocking (with reke)"*" 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 30.0 acres 
 
 204 
 
 26 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 Baling +" 
 
 7,100 tons 
 
 4.0 t on s 
 
 1,775 
 
 26 
 
 69 
 
 
 
 
 Beans: Piling 
 
 7 r 0 acres 
 
 2.0 acres 
 
 350 
 
 26 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 
 Threshing^by pick-up combine )300 acres 
 
 4.5 acres 
 
 67 
 
 26 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 Rice: Cutting and windrowing 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (Sept. 
 
 15-30) 
 
 
 with header f 
 
 1,568 acres 
 
 10.0 acres 
 
 157 
 
 13 
 
 13 
 
 
 Threshing (with pick-up 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (Sept . 
 
 15-30) 
 
 
 combine ) 1" 
 
 950 acres 
 
 4.5 acres 
 
 211 
 
 13 
 
 17 
 
 
 Picking up sacks r-nd 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (Sept. 
 
 15-30) 
 
 
 hauling from field 
 
 66,500 sacks 
 
 500 sacks 
 
 133 
 
 13 
 
 11 
 
 
 Sugar bee+s: Topping and loading 
 
 58,246 tons 
 
 6.0 tons 
 
 9,708 
 
 26 
 
 374 
 
 (Sept. 
 
 1-7) 
 
 
 Hops: Baling t 
 
 2,160 bales II 
 
 12.0 bales 
 
 180 
 
 6 
 
 30 
 
 
 Let+uce (fall): Thinning 
 
 500 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 1,000 
 
 26 
 
 39 
 
 
 
 
 Melons (hor.evdew) : Picking 
 
 32,640 crates 
 
 140 crates 
 
 234 
 
 26 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 Tomatoes: Picking for cannery- 
 
 10,080 tons 
 
 1 0 ton 
 
 10,080 
 
 26 
 
 389 
 
 
 
 
 Hauling to cannery 
 
 10,080 tons 
 
 15.0 tons 
 
 672 
 
 . 26 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 
 Almonds: Knocking 
 
 647 tons 
 
 275 pounds 
 
 4,621 
 
 26 
 
 178 
 
 
 
 
 Hulling(by machine) f 
 
 324 tons 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 1,296 
 
 26 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 
 Figs: Picking up for drying 
 
 
 
 
 26 
 
 93 
 
 
 
 
 (second crop) 
 
 600 tons 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 2,400 
 
 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
■ 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 
 < 
 
 
 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 j . 
 
 i 
 
 
 ' ' : - i 
 
 i 
 i 
 
 - 
 
 
 
 ; 
 
 - 
 
 
 ( 
 i 
 
 5 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 ■i ** 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 I r . 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 * 
 
 . ..... 
 
 t 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 I 
 
 i 
 
 i 
 
 j 
 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 . . } 
 
 
 
 J 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 ...... ... 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 L 
 
Table 3 continued. 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number 
 
 Month 
 
 Cror) and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 man-days 
 
 days 
 
 of workers* 
 
 September 
 
 Figs (cont.): Gassing, drying, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (cont . ) 
 
 sorting, and sacking X 
 Grapes: Picking and packing 
 
 337 tons 
 
 4 
 
 1,348 
 
 26 
 
 49 
 
 
 
 for shipment 
 
 69,600 lugs 
 
 25.0 lugs 
 
 2,784 
 
 26 
 
 106 
 
 
 
 Pecking for juice 
 
 4,170 tons 
 
 1.5 tons 
 
 2,780 
 
 26 
 
 107 
 
 
 
 Peaches: Picking 
 
 689 tons 
 
 8,000 pounds 
 
 459 
 
 13 
 
 36 
 
 (Sept. 1-15) 
 
 
 O+her dry yerd work 
 
 283 tons 
 
 4 
 
 325 
 
 9 
 
 37 
 
 (Sept. 1-10) 
 
 
 Pears: Picking 
 
 25 tons 
 
 1,400 pounds 
 
 36 
 
 6 
 
 6 
 
 (Sept. 1-7) 
 
 
 Prunes: Picking up 
 
 5,654 tons 
 
 1,500 pounds 
 
 7,538 
 
 26 
 
 291 
 
 
 
 Dipping end drving 
 
 5,654 tons 
 
 <* 
 
 4,712 
 
 26 
 
 182 
 
 
 
 Walnuts: Harvesting (including 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hulling) t 
 
 64,530 pounds 
 
 200 pounds 
 
 323 
 
 26 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 54,619 
 
 26 
 
 2,101 
 
 man-months 
 
 October 
 
 Alfslfn: Moving t 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 7.5 acres 
 
 817 
 
 24 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 Raking f 
 
 6,130 r.cres 
 
 15.0 ficres 
 
 409 
 
 24 
 
 18 
 
 
 
 Shocking (with r8ke)"t" 
 
 6,130 acres 
 
 30.0 acres 
 
 204 
 
 24 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 Baling f 
 
 7,100 tons 
 
 4.0 tons 
 
 1,775 
 
 24 
 
 74 
 
 
 
 Bee ns: Piling 
 
 200 acres 
 
 2.0 ecres 
 
 100 
 
 12 
 
 9 
 
 (Oct. 20-30) 
 
 
 : Threshing (by pick-up 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 combine )t 
 
 200 acres 
 
 4.5 acres 
 
 44 
 
 24 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 Rice: Cutting end windr owing 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 with header + 
 
 3,182 Peres 
 
 10.0 acres 
 
 318 
 
 24 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 Threshing (with pick-up 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 combine)^ 
 
 3,800 acres 
 
 4.5 acres 
 
 844 
 
 24 
 
 36 
 
 
 
 Picking up sacks end 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hauling from field 
 
 266,000 sacks 
 
 500 sacks 
 
 532 
 
 24 
 
 23 
 
 
 
 Sugar beets: Topping and loeding 
 
 51,526 tons 
 
 6.0 tons 
 
 8,588 
 
 24 
 
 359 
 
 
 
 Lettuce (fall): Hoeing 
 
 500 seres 
 
 1.0 acre 
 
 500 
 
 24 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 Melons (honeydew): Picking 
 
 10,560 crates 
 
 140 crates 
 
 76 
 
 12 
 
 7 
 
 (Oct. 1-20) 
 
 
 Tomatoes: Picking for shipping 
 
 11,200 lugs 
 
 45.0 lugs 
 
 249 
 
 24 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 Picking for cannery 
 
 7,840 tons 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 7,840 
 
 24 
 
 327 
 
 
 
 Hauling to cannery 
 
 7,840 tons 
 
 15.0 tons 
 
 523 
 
 24 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 Figs: Gassing, drying, sorting, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 end sacking t 
 
 169 tons 
 
 1 
 
 676 
 
 24 
 
 29 
 
 
 
 Gropes: Picking and packing for 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 shipment 
 
 46,4m lugs 
 
 25.0 lugs 
 
 1,856 
 
 24 
 
 78 
 
 
 
 Picking for .iuice 
 
 2,780 tons 
 
 1.5 tons 
 
 1,854 
 
 24 
 
 78 
 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
> 
 
i«Die o c 
 M ont h 
 
 onr, mueo . 
 
 Cron and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 Reau ired 
 mar-days 
 
 Ava ileble 
 days 
 
 Required number 
 of workers* 
 
 October 
 ( cont . ) 
 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 Burning brush 
 Walnuts: Harvesting (including 
 
 hulling) 1" 
 Totals 
 
 38? seres 
 383 acres 
 
 64,530 pounds 
 
 0.25 acre 
 4.0 acres 
 
 200 pounds 
 
 1,532 
 96 
 
 32 3 
 
 24 
 24 
 
 24 
 
 64 
 4 
 
 14 
 
 
 
 
 29,156 
 
 24 
 
 1,215 man-months 
 
 November 
 
 Lettuce (fall;: Cutting 
 Aprico+s: Pruning 
 Peaches: Pruning 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 Burning brush 
 
 50,000 crates 
 1,650 acres 
 367 acres 
 383 ecres 
 383 acres 
 
 21 crrtes 
 0.25 acre 
 0.25 rcre 
 0.25 acre 
 4.0 acres 
 
 2,381 
 6,600 
 1,468 
 1,532 
 
 96 
 
 16 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 23 
 
 149 (Nov. 10-30) 
 287 
 64 
 
 | 67 
 5 
 
 
 Tot ft 1 s 
 
 
 
 12,077 
 
 23 
 
 526 man-morths 
 
 December 
 
 Lettuce (fell): Cutting 
 
 • .pricots: Pruning 
 
 Grapes: Pruning 
 
 Olives: Picking for pic v ling 
 
 Picking for oil 
 Peaches: Pruning 
 Posrs: Prunirg 
 
 Burning brush 
 Plums: Pruning 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 Burning brush 
 Totr Is 
 
 50,000 crates 
 550 acres 
 550 r.cres 
 264 tons 
 93 tons 
 367 acres 
 166 acres 
 166 acres 
 112 acres 
 384 acres 
 384 acres 
 
 21 crates 
 0.25 rcres 
 0.66 rcre 
 300 pounds 
 500 rounds 
 0.25 ^cre 
 0.20 acre 
 4.0 acres 
 0,5 acre 
 0.25 acre 
 4.0 rcres 
 
 2,381 
 2,200 
 
 833 
 1,760 
 
 372 
 1,468 
 
 830 
 4c 
 
 224 
 1,536 
 96 
 
 g 
 18 
 18 
 12 
 
 9 
 18 
 18 
 
 It) 
 
 18 
 18 
 18 
 
 265 (Dec. 1-15) 
 122 
 46 
 
 147 (Dec. 1-20) 
 42 (Dec. 15-31) 
 82 
 47 
 
 •Z 
 
 O 
 
 13 
 86 
 6 
 
 
 
 
 11,742 
 
 18 
 
 653 man-months 
 
 * On a monthly basis unless otherwise noted. 
 
 -\ Indicates tnsk is performed by less than 100 per cent seasonal help, 
 ^ Twenty por cent added to care for replanting. 
 
 Dry -yard labor, other than cutting, estimated eg follows: 
 
 Apricots -- 11 man-hours per fresh ton. 
 
 Figs — 40 man-hours per dry ton. 
 
 Peaches -- 11.5 man-hours per fresh ton. 
 
 Prunes -- 8.3 man-hours per fresh ton. 
 
 <fl Gr e en we i ght . 
 
 II Dry weight 200 pounds to bale. 
 
f 1 
 
17. 
 
 TABLE 4 
 
 Summary of Seasonal Labor Needs by Months 
 Yolo County 
 
 1935 
 
 Month 
 
 Required man-days 
 
 Available 
 
 Required man-months 
 
 
 of seasonal labor 
 
 days 
 
 of seasonal labor 
 
 January 
 
 4,190 
 
 18 
 
 233 
 
 February 
 
 5,963 
 
 20 
 
 299 
 
 MptpVi 
 
 VllO*t oil 
 
 7 n^Q 
 
 99 
 
 OCX) 
 
 April 
 
 31,077 
 
 22 
 
 1,413 
 
 May 
 
 39,431 
 
 25 
 
 1,578 
 
 June 
 
 39,154 
 
 26 
 
 1,506 
 
 July 
 
 21,124 
 
 26 
 
 813 
 
 August 
 
 59,327 
 
 26 
 
 2,282 
 
 September 
 
 54,619 
 
 26 
 
 2,101 
 
 October 
 
 29,156 
 
 24 
 
 1, 215 
 
 November 
 
 12,077 
 
 23 
 
 526 
 
 December 
 
 11,742 
 
 18 
 
 653 
 
 Total 
 
 314,899 
 
 
 12,939 
 
 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 80 per cent of the labor in harvesting grain is done by 
 seasonal workers. When a job extends over several different months, the propor- 
 tionate 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 producers, and records of carlot shipments, the latter proving helpful in fix- 
 ing dates of planting and of subsequent tasks involved in producing certain crops. 
 Proportionate amounts of output harvested each month were determined from data of 
 local practices with respect to harvesting, and from carlot shipments of perishable 
 products. Records of truck shipments were also used when available. 
 
 Notes on Table 3 . — Table 3 is the condensed summary of labor needs as 
 worked out for Yolo 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 
 percentage of work pertinent to a given month) . The output por man-day was cal- 
 culated 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. 
 
,••.7 V; 
 
 ■ 
 
18. 
 
 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): 
 
 Month 
 
 Available 
 
 Length of 
 
 Month 
 
 Available 
 
 Length of 
 
 
 days 
 
 work day 
 
 
 days 
 
 work day 
 
 January 
 
 
 hours 
 
 
 
 hours 
 
 18 
 
 9 
 
 July 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 February 
 
 20 
 
 9 
 
 August 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 March 
 
 22 
 
 10 
 
 September 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 April 
 
 22 
 
 10 
 
 October 
 
 24 
 
 10 
 
 May 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 November 
 
 23 
 
 9 
 
 June 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 December 
 
 18 
 
 9 
 
 Source of data: Based on precipitation records of the Woodland 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 be performed 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 par- 
 entheses. For example, in July picking of apricots was limited to the first half 
 of the month, picking peaches to the last ten days, etc. 
 
 The totals of table 3 show the total required man-days of needed seasonal 
 labor, the available days for field work during tho month, and the necessary 
 number of men (as defined in the opening paragraph of table 3) required on a month- 
 ly basis to care for the tasks ordinarily performed by seasonal workers. 
 
 In an area such as Yolo 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 markot 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 oper- 
 ations on certain crops being speeded up to supply a good market, or retardod to 
 avoid a poor one, resulting in marked variations in the need for harvest labor. 
 
„...>.i : .,,-."! - ':'>"?'.*-"J 
 
!