University of California 
 College of Agriculture 
 Agricultural Experiment Station 
 Berkeley, California 
 
 S'CASONAL LABOR NESDS FOR CALIFORNIA CROPS 
 MENDOCINO COUNTY 
 Progress Report No. 23 
 by 
 
 R. L. Adams 
 Preliminary — Subject to Correction 
 December, 1936 
 
 Contribution from the 
 Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics 
 Mimeographed Report No. 53 
 
 UK!' 
 
 cm 
 
(Farm Labor Survey — July- December , 1936) 
 
 Progress Report No. 25 
 
 Seasonal Labor Needs for California Crops 
 Mendocino County 
 
 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 b'^ 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 — 
 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 with other kinds of labor involved 
 in the production of California's many crops. 
 
 Brief Description of the Area . — Mendocino County is situated on the . 
 northern half of the California Coast, its southern boundary being about 70 miles 
 northwest of San Francisco Bay, Its coast-line boundary extends for about 80 
 miles, and it has an average width of 40 miles east and west. It lies in the 
 Coast Range mountains which occupy a belt 50 to 70 miles wide extending from the 
 coast eastward to the Sacramento Valley. A straight line running east and west 
 bounds it from Humbolt and Trinity counties on the north and its southern limits 
 extend to the Sonoma County line. The farming area of the county is located in 
 two distinctly different physiographic regions. The major portion of agricultural 
 land lies in the Russian River drainage basin. It occupies an area about 36 miles 
 long and from 7 to 12 miles wide, including several arable valleys, some of which 
 are part of a large valley basin, and intervening ore rough, hilly areas. Eleva- 
 tions of the various valleys vary from 475 feet above sea level at the lower tnd 
 of Sanel Valley to 1,000 feet above S3a level in the upper part of Potter Vall&y. 
 Hops, grapes, fruits, alfalfa, grain, and grain hay are the principal crops. Ths 
 Russian River Valley is one of the main hop-growing centers of California. 
 
 The second farming district is situated in the central part of the county 
 about 120 miles northwest of San Francisco. It is about 30 miles square and is 
 bounded on all sides by high hills and mountains. The only crops grown extensively 
 are grain and grain hay, small acreages being devoted to truck crops. The county 
 has a total land area of 2,264,960 acres, of which 93,424 acres are available for 
 crops. 
 
 Crops. Acreages, and Production .-- The basis used in calculating occasion- 
 al or seasonal need for labor in addition to that furnished by farm operators and 
 regularly employed workers appears as table 1. 
 
I 
 
 lb 
 
TABL^U 1 
 
 2. 
 
 Basis for Calculating Seasonal Labor Requireraents 
 Mendocino County 
 
 Crop 
 
 Acreage 
 
 Production 
 
 Field crops: 
 
 
 
 Alfalfa 
 
 6,323 
 
 16,937 tons 
 
 Corn (for grain )• 
 
 252 
 
 5,680 bushels 
 
 Grain - wheat 
 
 2,808 
 
 47,698 bushels 
 
 barley 
 
 1,637 
 
 43,775 bushels 
 
 oats 
 
 C. , J.O'i 
 
 t3U,t3D'i Dusnexs 
 
 Hay (other than alfalfa) 
 
 16,366 
 
 22,081 tons 
 
 Hops 
 
 1,371 
 
 6,778 bales in 1935 + 
 
 Potatoes, Irish* 
 
 445 
 
 41,188 bushels 
 
 Vegetable crops: f 
 
 
 
 Snap beans <f 
 
 45 
 
 270 tons 
 
 Peas - spring 
 
 600 
 
 30,000 crates (of 2 bushels) 
 
 i fall 
 
 200 
 
 11,067 crates 
 
 ; Toiratoes - canning 
 
 50 
 
 350 tons 
 
 Fruit and nut crops: // 
 
 
 
 Almonds* 
 
 3 
 
 
 Apples 
 
 1,304 
 
 4 , 500 tons (1,000 tons fresh 
 
 
 
 (3,500 tons dried (fresh 
 
 
 
 weight)! 
 
 Cherries* 
 
 20 
 
 
 Figs* 
 
 10 
 
 
 Grapes 
 
 6,692 
 
 15,000 tons (10,000 tons shipped 
 
 
 
 (5,000 tons crushed 
 
 Peaches* 
 
 122 
 
 
 Pears 
 
 3,457 
 
 12,500 tons (8,500 tons fresh 
 
 
 
 (4,000 tons dried f 
 
 Plums* 
 
 12 
 
 
 Prunes 
 
 1,338 
 
 1,000 tons (dried weight )+ 
 
 Walnuts* 
 
 160 
 
 47,100 pounds merchantable 
 
 * Use of seasonal labor on these crops inconsequential and hence ignored. 
 
 •f Drying ratio estimated to be as follows: 
 
 Hops 4 to 1 
 
 Apples 7.5 to 1 
 
 Pears 5.5 to 1 
 
 Prunes 2.25 to 1 
 
 ^Acreage data from Federal-State Crop Reporting Service. Acreage of 
 specified vegetable crops by counties, 1935. 
 
 ^ Data from U. S. Census, 1935, for crop year 1934. 
 (( Acreage and production. 
 
3. 
 
 Operations Requiring Seasonal Labor and Time of Need .-- Fan operations 
 requiring the use of seasonal or occasional labor for the various crops raised in 
 Mendocino County are indicated in table 2, This tabulation does not include the 
 employing of shed workers needed to wash, pad:, and prepare various comp^odities 
 for shipping and marketing. 
 
 TABLE 2 
 
 Operations Requiring Use of Seasonal Labor and Times of Needs by Crops 
 
 Mendocino County 
 
 Crop 
 
 Field crops; 
 Alfalfa' 
 
 Grain 
 
 Hay, other 
 than alfalfa 
 
 Hops 
 
 Operation 
 
 Shocking 
 
 Hauling and 
 stacking 
 
 Harvesting 
 
 Mowing 
 Raking 
 Shocking 
 
 Pruning, 
 stringing, 
 and training 
 
 Picking 
 
 Drying 
 
 Baling 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 May 1 all acreage 
 
 to each 
 Sept. 30 ironth 
 May 1 
 
 to 
 
 Sept. 30 
 
 June 15-30 -- 50 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 July 1-15 -- 50 per 
 cent of acreage 
 
 June 1-15 — all 
 acreage 
 
 } 
 
 1 
 
 s 
 
 ] 
 
 March 20-31 — 1 man-day 
 
 per acre 
 April 1-30 -- 4 man-days 
 
 per acre 
 May 1-31 — 4 man- days 
 
 per acre 
 June 1-30 — 4 men-days 
 
 per acre 
 July 1-15 -- 2 mnn-days 
 
 per acre _ 
 Aug. 20-31 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Sept. 1-10 -- 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Aug. 20-31 -- 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Sept. 1-10 -- 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Sept. 10-30 all of 
 
 crop 
 
 J 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 > 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 65 
 
 Output per 
 man-dr,y 
 
 8 acres 
 
 3,3 acres 
 
 5 acres 
 
 7.5 acres 
 15.0 acres 
 30 acres 
 
 Total of 15 
 man-days per 
 acre for 
 ser.son 
 
 250 pounds 
 green weight 
 
 4,000 pounds 
 green weight 
 
 12 bales 
 (of 200 
 pounds dry 
 weight) 
 
 Table continued on 
 
 next page. 
 
4. 
 
 Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 Work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 Vegetable crops: 
 
 
 
 
 
 Beans, string 
 
 Picking for 
 
 July 15-30 — 20 per 
 
 
 
 
 canning 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 
 
 
 
 Aug. l-ol -- bO per 
 
 > 100 
 
 250 pounds 
 
 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sept, 1-^0 -- 50 per 
 
 
 
 
 
 cent of crop ^ 
 
 
 
 Peas, green* 
 
 Picking 
 
 May 1-31 -- 25 per cent 
 
 
 
 
 
 of soring crop 
 
 
 
 
 
 June 1-30 -- 75 per cent 
 
 
 
 
 
 of spring crop 
 
 
 
 
 
 July 1-31 — 10 per cent 
 
 
 
 
 
 of fall crop 
 
 ^ 100 
 
 5 crates (of 
 
 
 
 Aug. 1-31 — 40 per cent 
 
 55 pounds) 
 
 
 
 of fall crop 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sept. 1-30 -- 40 per 
 
 
 
 
 
 cent of fall crop 
 
 
 
 
 
 Oct. 1-31 -- 10 per cent 
 
 
 
 
 
 of fall crop 
 
 
 
 Tomatoes , 
 
 Picking 
 
 Sept. 1-30 -- 60 per 
 
 ! 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 canning 
 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 > 100 
 
 2,500 pounds 
 
 
 
 Oct. 1-20 40 per cent 
 
 
 
 
 
 of crop 
 
 
 
 Fruit and nut 
 
 
 
 
 
 crops : 
 
 
 
 
 
 Apoles 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Dec. 1-31 -- 1/3 of 
 
 
 
 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jan. 1-31 -- 1/3 of 
 
 y 33 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 
 
 
 Feb. 1-28 -- 1/3 of 
 
 
 
 
 
 acreage _ 
 
 
 
 
 Brush burn- 
 
 Dec. 1-31 -- 1/3 of 
 
 
 
 
 ing 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jan. 1-31 — 1/3 of 
 
 > 33 
 
 1.0 acre 
 
 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 
 
 Feb. 1-28 — 1/3 of 
 
 
 
 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 
 
 Thinning -- 
 
 May — 50 per cent of 
 
 
 
 
 20 per cent 
 
 job 
 
 > 33 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 
 of acreage 
 
 June — 50 per cent of 
 
 
 
 
 
 job 
 
 
 
 
 Spraying 
 
 Dec. -- 1/3 of acreage 
 
 
 
 
 
 Jan. -- 1/3 of acreage 
 
 
 
 
 
 Feb. -- 1/3 of acreage 
 
 
 
 
 
 April 15-30 -- 2/3 of 
 
 > 
 
 
 
 
 acreage 
 
 50 
 
 1.3 acres 
 
 
 
 May 1-31 — ?./3, mice; 
 
 
 (= 100 trees) 
 . 
 
 
 
 l/3, +-;;ice ,^ 
 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Fruit and nut 
 crops : 
 Apples 
 (contd. ) 
 
 Grapes, wine 
 
 Operation 
 
 Spraying 
 ( contd. ) 
 
 Picking from 
 trees 
 
 Drying 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Burning brush 
 
 Picking 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 June 1-30 — 2/3, once; 
 
 1/3, t.vice 
 July 1-15 -- 2/3 of 
 
 acreage / 
 July 20-30 — 5 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 Aug. 1-31 — 15 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 Sept. 1-30 -- 35 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Oct. 1-31 — 35 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 Nov. 1-15 -- 10 per cent 
 
 of crop - 
 Aug. 1-31 — 25 per cent 
 
 of job 
 Sept. 1-30 -- 25 per 
 
 cent of job 
 Oct. 1-31 -- 25 per cent 
 
 > 
 
 of job 
 
 
 Nov. 1-30 -- 
 
 25 per 
 
 of job 
 
 
 Dec. 15-31 - 
 
 - 1/6 of 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 Jan. 1-31 — 
 
 1/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 Feb. 1-28 — 
 
 1/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 Mar. 1-15 — 
 
 1/6 of 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 Dec. 15-31 - 
 
 - 1/6 of 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 Jan. 1-31 -- 
 
 1/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 Feb. 1-28 -- 
 
 1/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 Mar. 1-15 — 
 
 1/6 of 
 
 acreage 
 
 
 Sept. 15-30 
 
 — 5 per 
 
 > 
 
 cent of crop 
 Oct. 1-31 -- 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Nov. 1-15 — 45 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 60 
 
 75 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 90 
 
 Output per 
 man-day 
 
 50 boxes 
 (- 2,100 
 pounds) t" 
 
 200 pounds 
 dry weight 
 
 0.75 acre 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 2,400 pounds 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
} • 
 
 ; 1 
 
 \ j 
 
 ft 
 
Table 2 continued . 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 Fruit and nut 
 crops (contd. ) 
 Pears 
 
 Prunes 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Picking 
 
 Cutting for 
 drying 
 
 Other dry- 
 yard work 
 
 Pruning -- 
 25 per cent 
 of acreage 
 
 Brush burn- 
 ing 
 
 Spraying 
 once 
 
 Picking up 
 
 Dipoing and 
 drying 
 
 Nov. 15-30 -- 15 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 Dec. 1-31 -- 20 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 Jan. 1-31 -- 40 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 Feb. 1-28 -- 25 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 Aug. 1-31 -- 80 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Sept. 1-15 20 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Aug. 15-31 -- 50 per 
 
 cent of job 
 Sept. 1-20 -- 50 per 
 
 cent of job 
 Aug. 15-31 33 per 
 
 cent of job 
 Sept. 1-30 -- 66 per 
 
 cent of job 
 
 Dec. — 20 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 Jan. -- 40 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 Feb. -- 40 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 Dec. — 20 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 Jan. -- 40 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 Feb. — 40 per cent of 
 
 acreage 
 Dec. 1-31 -- 1/2 of 
 
 acreage 
 Jan, 1-31 -- 1/2 of 
 
 acreage 
 Sept. 5-30 --70 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Oct, 1-15 -- 30 ner 
 
 cent of crop 
 Sept. 5-30 — 70 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Oct. 1-15 -- 30 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 65 
 
 90 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 95 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 1,600 pounds 
 
 1,000 pounds 
 
 26. 5 hours per 
 fresh ton ' 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 1.3 acres 
 
 1,500 riounds 
 
 8.3 hours per 
 fresh ton 
 
 I 
 
 * 1934 carlots of peas by rail. No data on 1935 shi-^ments by rail. 
 
 f A portion of the apple cron is picked uo from the ground, in which case 
 the output per man-day is about 2 tons. 
 
7. 
 
 Findings of Seasonal Labor Needs .-- Details and summaries of seasonal labor 
 requirements of Mendocino 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 "outout 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 roan based on the entire crew. Length of day is 9 hours, November to 
 
 February; 10 hours flarch to October, unless otherwise stated. Wide veriations in 
 output occur between farm and farm, field and field, and season and season, because 
 of differences in soil types, climatic conditions, weeds, yields, emd other factors 
 influencing the 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, children, and more or less inexperienced help that is sometimes used in 
 connection v/ith certain of the tasks requiring use of seasonal workers. The column 
 headed "available days" reflects (a) limitations set from the period within which 
 the work must be performed because of the nature of the task, such as transplanting, 
 thinning, weeding, eind cutting, and (b) available days as determined by weather 
 conditions, 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 reouired, 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 v/hen the 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 -- Mendocino County — by Months and Tasks 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 man- days 
 
 days 
 
 of workers* 
 
 .Tp» mi avv 
 
 Annies: Pruninc 
 
 145 acres T 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 725 
 
 15 
 
 49 
 
 
 Bur'ni nff brushi 
 
 145 acres "t" 
 
 1.0 acre 
 
 145 
 
 15 
 
 10 
 
 
 Snravinff 
 
 217 acres ir 
 
 1.3 acres 
 
 167 
 
 15 
 
 12 
 
 
 Crranes iVi/ine); Prunins 
 
 1,115 acres j" 
 
 0.7 5 acre 
 
 1 ,487 
 
 15 
 
 100 
 
 
 
 899 acres ^ 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 4 ,495 
 
 15 
 
 300 
 
 
 
 67 acres 
 
 0,2 acre 
 
 335 
 
 15 
 
 23 
 
 
 PlIT'n'l VICT V'lT'lloVl 
 
 U f CkL* ICO 1 
 
 ? ^ f* a 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 ^"^^ Pi f» y*p c -P" 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 7 ,639 
 
 15 
 
 510 raan-nionths 
 
 
 Add! es ; Prunine 
 
 145 acres 1* 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 725 
 
 19 
 
 39 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 9 
 
 a 
 
 \J 
 
 
 
 PI 7 « f*rp <=• "t" 
 
 
 1 67 
 
 
 Q 
 
 
 Grapes (wine ) : Pruning 
 
 1,115 acre si* 
 
 0.75 acres 
 
 1 ,487 
 
 19 
 
 79 
 
 
 Pearst Pruning 
 
 562 acres'^ 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 2,810 
 
 19 
 
 148 
 
 
 Pynnp*^ ' PY*nni 
 
 fi7 Acy*p<? T 
 
 f CL^ ICO ' 
 
 
 335 
 
 1 9 
 
 X 7 
 
 18 
 
 X (J 
 
 
 
 fi7 acrp'? + 
 
 ? - S fl yp 
 
 27 
 
 1 9 
 
 X ^ 
 
 2 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 5 , 696 
 
 19 
 
 300 uian-njonths 
 
 March 
 
 Hops! Pruning, stringing, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and training 
 
 1,371 acres 
 
 1.0 acre 
 
 1,371 
 
 7 
 
 196 (Mar. 20-31) 
 
 
 Graces (wine): Prunine 
 
 558 acres T 
 
 0-75 acre 
 
 744 
 
 9 
 
 83 (Mav 1-15) 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 2 ,115 
 
 18 
 
 118 man— months 
 
 April 
 
 Hops: Pruning, stringing, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and training 
 
 1,371 acres 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 5,484 
 
 22 
 
 250 
 
 
 Apples: Spraying 
 
 434 acres + 
 
 1 .3 acres 
 
 334 
 
 11 
 
 31 (April 15-30) 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 5.818 
 
 22 
 
 265 man-months 
 
 May 
 
 Alfalfa: Shocking 
 
 3,162 acres 
 
 8.0 acres 
 
 396 
 
 23 
 
 18 
 
 
 Hauling and stacking 
 
 3,162 acresf 
 
 3.3 acres 
 
 959 
 
 23 
 
 42 
 
 
 Hops: Pruning, stringing, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 and training 
 
 1,371 acres 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 5,484 
 
 23 
 
 239 
 
 
 Peas (green): Picking 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (spring crop) 
 
 7,500 crates 
 
 5.0 crates 
 
 1,500 
 
 23 
 
 
 Table continued on next page. cd 
 
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 RsQuired 
 
 Available 
 
 Re quired numbe r 
 
 Month 
 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Siae of task 
 
 Output per ir.an-day 
 
 man- days 
 
 days 
 
 of 
 
 workers* 
 
 May 
 (contd 
 
 .) 
 
 Apples: Thinning 
 Soraying 
 Totals 
 
 43 acres 
 868 acres 
 
 0.2 acre 
 1,3 acres 
 
 215 
 668 
 
 23 
 23 
 
 10 
 
 30 
 
 
 
 9.222 
 
 23 
 
 401 man-months 
 
 June 
 
 
 Alfalfa: Shocking 
 
 3,162 acres t 
 
 6.0 acres 
 
 396 
 
 25 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 Hauling and stacking 
 Grain: Harvesting 
 
 3,lfc)2 acres ' 
 1 ,645 acres 
 
 3.3 acres 
 5,0 acres 
 
 959 
 329 
 
 25 
 13 
 
 39 
 26 
 
 (June 15-30) 
 
 
 
 Hay (other than alfalfa): 
 Wowing 
 
 8,183 acres 
 
 7.5 acres 
 
 1,092 
 
 12 
 
 91 
 
 (June 1-15) 
 
 
 
 Raking 
 
 8,183 acres < 
 
 15.0 acres 
 
 546 
 
 12 
 
 46 
 
 (June 1-15) 
 
 
 
 Shocking 
 
 8,183 acres T 
 
 30.0 acres 
 
 273 
 
 12 
 
 2?. 
 
 (June 1-15) 
 
 
 
 Hops: Pruning, stringing, 
 and training 
 
 1,371 acres 
 
 0.25 acre 
 
 5,484 
 
 25 
 
 220 
 
 
 
 
 Peas (green): Picking 
 (spring crop) 
 
 22,500 crates 
 
 5.0 crates 
 
 4,500 
 
 25 
 
 180 
 
 
 
 
 Apples: Thinning 
 
 44 acres 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 220 
 
 25 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 Spraying 
 Totals 
 
 868 acres t 
 
 1 .3 acres 
 
 668 
 
 25 
 
 27 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 14,4^7 
 
 25 
 
 579 
 
 man-months 
 
 July 
 
 
 Alfalfa: Shocking 
 
 3,162 acres t 
 
 8.0 acres 
 
 396 
 
 26 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 Hauling and stacking 
 
 3,162 acres f 
 
 3.3 acres 
 
 959 
 
 26 
 
 37 
 
 (July 1-15) 
 
 
 
 Grain: Harvesting 
 
 1 ,645 acres + 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 329 
 
 13 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 Hops: Pruning, stringing, 
 and training 
 
 1,371 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 2,742 
 
 13 
 
 211 
 
 (July 1-15) 
 
 
 
 3eans (string): Picking for 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (July 15-30) 
 
 
 
 canning 
 
 54 tons 
 
 250.0 pounds 
 
 432 
 
 13 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 Peas (green): Picking (fall 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 crop) 
 
 1,107 crates 
 
 5.0 crates 
 
 222 
 
 26 
 
 9 
 
 (July 1-15) 
 
 
 
 Apples: Spraying 
 
 434 acresl" 
 
 1 .3 acres 
 
 334 
 
 13 
 
 26 
 
 
 
 Picking from trees 
 
 135 tons + 
 
 2,100.0 pounds 
 
 129 
 
 9 
 
 15 
 
 (Julv 20-31) 
 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 5.543 
 
 26 
 
 214 
 
 man-months 
 
 ill 1 crt 1 o + 
 
 
 
 TAP flf^T*fic; ■f' 
 
 
 ■^96 
 
 26 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 Hauling and stacking 
 
 3,162 acresi" 
 
 3.3 acres 
 
 959 
 
 26 
 
 37 
 
 (Aug. 20-31) 
 (Aug. 20-31) 
 
 
 
 Hops: Picking 
 Drying 
 
 2,711,200 pounds^ 
 2,711,200 poundsf 
 
 250.0 pounds =^ 
 4,000.0 pounds 
 
 10,845 
 678 
 
 9 
 9 
 
 1,205 
 76 
 
 
 
 Beans (string): Picking for 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 canning 
 
 135 tons 
 
 250.0 pounds 
 
 1,080 
 
 26 
 
 42 
 
 
 Table 
 
 continued on next page. 
 
raoie o co 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Requ: 
 
 .red number 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man- day 
 
 man-days 
 
 days 
 
 of 
 
 workers* 
 
 August 
 
 Peas (green): Picking (fall 
 
 
 
 
 
 35 
 
 
 (contd . ) 
 
 crop) 
 
 4,427 crates 
 
 5.0 crates 
 
 886 
 
 26 
 
 
 Apples: Picking from trees 
 
 405 tonst" 
 
 2,100.0 pounds 
 
 386 
 
 26 
 
 15 
 
 
 
 Drying 
 
 ASfi t nrtc; ■h' 
 
 
 875 
 
 26 
 
 34 
 
 
 
 Pears: Picking 
 
 y ,uuu xons r 
 
 i,ouu«v/ pounus 
 
 1 1 PRO 
 
 XX , £^OU 
 
 Pfi 
 
 433 
 
 (Aug. 15-31) 
 
 
 Cutting for drying 
 
 c,uuu i.ons 
 
 i,uuu»u pounQS 
 
 A nnn 
 
 
 308 
 
 
 Other dry-yard labor 
 
 X , ooo xons 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 272 (Aue. 15-31) 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 \J*^ 1 U ^ X 
 
 
 1 0 
 
 man-months 
 
 September 
 
 Alfalfa: bhockmg 
 
 OyXOcs acres f 
 
 0 • U cAul^co 
 
 
 
 1 A 
 
 
 Haul i ng and st ac ki ng 
 
 OyXOc acrcs • 
 
 "2, "X G y* o C! 
 
 O AO 
 
 25 
 
 39 
 
 (Sept. 1-10) 
 
 
 Hops: Picking 
 
 P 711 Pnn nnimrlcsf 
 ^ 1 XX y CWU p VJ UliU o ' 
 
 
 10 84^ 
 
 8 
 
 1,356 
 
 
 Drying 
 
 ixXf<iu\j pounusi 
 
 ^ Pi T\n,\\Y^AC! ^ 
 
 ftjUUU»u pounus 7 
 
 D / O 
 
 a 
 
 c 
 
 85 
 
 (Sept. I-IO) 
 
 
 Baling T" 
 
 4,4/ o Dales 1 
 
 
 •27-2 
 
 
 1 A 
 XO 
 
 
 
 Beans (string): Picking for 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 canning 
 
 OX xons 
 
 
 AAA 
 
 
 OA 
 CD 
 
 
 
 Peas (green): Picking (fall 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 crop ) 
 
 4,4<ii craxes 
 
 fl 'V* + A ^ 
 
 000 
 
 PA 
 
 •^A 
 
 
 
 Tomatoes (canning): Picking 
 
 eixv xons 
 
 C y OUU »U pUUliLLo 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 Apples: Picking from trees 
 
 y40 xons / 
 
 ^/yj-UU^u pounus 
 
 
 PS 
 
 36 
 
 
 
 Drying 
 
 0 1) ( X ons T 
 
 
 CIO 
 
 CO 
 
 36 
 
 (Sept. 15-30) 
 
 
 Grapes (wine;: Picking 
 
 675 tons't 
 
 2, 400*0 pounds 
 
 563 
 
 12 
 
 47 
 
 
 Pears: Picking 
 
 2,250 tons'f 
 
 1 ,600.0 pounds 
 
 2 , 815 
 
 13 
 
 217 
 
 (Sept. 1-15) 
 
 
 L>ut.t.ing I or arymg 
 
 <s , uuu xons 
 
 X ,uuu*u puuiiuo 
 
 A nnn 
 
 1 7 
 
 J. 1 
 
 236 
 
 (Sept. 1-20) 
 
 
 Other dry-yard work 
 
 <i,Do/ xons 
 
 7 
 
 7 n7 A 
 
 CU 
 
 283 
 
 (Sept. 5-30) 
 
 
 Prunes: Picking up 
 
 1 , 0 ( D xons 
 
 1 Ann n r\niiw/^o 
 
 X , ouu • u pouncs 
 
 p 1 nn 
 
 c , xuu 
 
 PI 
 
 100 
 
 
 Dipping and drying 
 
 1 4Q7 + one 
 
 1 ,4y 1 xons ) 
 
 
 
 PI 
 
 60 
 
 (Sect. 5-30) 
 
 
 1 oxais 
 
 
 
 ■^A APR 
 
 PS 
 
 1.382 
 
 man-months 
 
 October 
 
 Peas (green): Picking (fall 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 crop) 
 
 1,106 crates 
 
 5,0 crates 
 
 222 
 
 22 
 
 11 
 
 (Oct. 1-20) 
 
 
 Tomatoes (canning): Picking 
 
 140 tons 
 
 2,500.0 pounds 
 
 112 
 
 14 
 
 8 
 
 
 Apples: Picking from trees 
 
 945 tonst 
 
 2,100.0 pounds 
 
 900 
 
 22 
 
 41 
 
 
 
 Drying 
 
 656 tons"^ 
 
 4 
 
 875 
 
 22 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 Grapes (wine): Picking 
 
 6,750 tonst 
 
 2,400.0 pounds 
 
 5,625 
 
 22 
 
 256 
 
 (Oct. 1-15) 
 
 
 Prunes: Picking up 
 
 675 tons 
 
 1,500.0 pounds 
 
 900 
 
 11 
 
 82 
 
 
 Dipping and drying 
 
 641 tonsf 
 
 
 535 
 
 11 
 
 49 
 
 (Oct. 1-15) 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 9,169 
 
 22 
 
 417 
 
 man-months 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
4 
 
 Table 3 continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 man-days 
 
 days 
 
 of workers* 
 
 November 
 
 Apples: Picking from trees 
 
 270 tons -r 
 
 2,100.0 pounds 
 
 258 
 
 22 
 
 12 
 
 
 Drying 
 
 65o tons r 
 
 i 
 
 875 
 
 22 
 
 40 
 
 
 Grapes (wme;: Picking 
 
 6,075 tonsf 
 
 2,400.0 pounds 
 
 5,063 
 
 11 
 
 461 (Nov. 1-15) 
 
 
 Pears: Pruning 
 
 337 acres f 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 1.685 
 
 11 
 
 154 (Nov. 15-30) 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 7.881 
 
 22 
 
 359 man-months 
 
 December 
 
 Apples: Pruning 
 
 145 acres T 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 725 
 
 15 
 
 49 
 
 
 Burning brush 
 
 145 acres "f 
 
 1-0 acre 
 
 145 
 
 15 
 
 10 
 
 
 Spraying 
 
 218 acres/ 
 
 1.3 acre 
 
 168 
 
 15 
 
 12 
 
 
 Grapes (wine): Pruning 
 
 oDo acres ' 
 
 0.75 acre 
 
 744 
 
 7 
 
 107 (Dec. 15-31) 
 
 
 Pears: Pruning 
 
 449 acrest 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 2,245 
 
 15 
 
 150 
 
 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 33 acres't 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 165 
 
 15 
 
 11 
 
 
 Burning brush 
 
 33 acres't 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 14 
 
 15 
 
 1 
 
 
 Spraying 
 
 334 acres "1* 
 
 1.3 acres 
 
 257 
 
 , ^5 
 
 18 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 4.463 
 
 15 
 
 298 man-months 
 
 • On a monthly basis unless otherwise noted. 
 
 t Portion of task performed by seasonal labor. 
 Green weight. 
 
 <^ Dry-yard labor, other than cutting estimated to be as follows: 
 
 Apples: 200 pounds, dry weight, per man-day. 
 Pears: 26.5 man-hours per fresh ton 
 Prunes: 8.3 man-hours per fresh ton 
 
 *^ Dry weight, 200 pounds to a bale. 
 
..•cti 
 
 1 --nr.^^V'rf^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
12. 
 
 TABLE 4 
 
 Summary of Seasonal Labor Needs by Months 
 Mendocino County 
 
 1935 
 
 
 Required man-days 
 
 Available 
 
 Required n'an-months 
 
 Month 
 
 of seasonal labor 
 
 days 
 
 of seasonal labor 
 
 January 
 
 7,639 
 
 15 
 
 510 
 
 February 
 
 5,696 
 
 19 
 
 300 
 
 March 
 
 2,115 
 
 18 
 
 118 
 
 April 
 
 5,818 
 
 22 
 
 265 
 
 May 
 
 9,222 
 
 23 
 
 401 
 
 June 
 
 14,467 
 
 25 
 
 579 
 
 July 
 
 5,543 
 
 26 
 
 214 
 
 August 
 
 34,891 
 
 26 
 
 1»342 
 
 September 
 
 34,528 
 
 25 
 
 1,382 
 
 October 
 
 9,169 
 
 22 
 
 417 
 
 November 
 
 7,881 
 
 22 
 
 359 
 
 December 
 
 4,463 
 
 15 
 
 298 
 
 Total 
 
 141,432 
 
 
 6,185 
 
 Notes 
 
 Notes on Table 2 .-- Data concerning "time of need" as shovm in this table 
 break down required seasonal labor into the period in which the work is perforired 
 in order to permit a subsequent determination of labor needs by m.onths (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. V/hen a job extends over several different months, the propor- 
 tionate amount for each month is shown. 
 
 The amount of work done each rronth 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 sumrjary of labor needs as 
 worked out for Mendocino 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 ner 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 
 

 
 
 
 
 f 
 
 \ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ 
 
 : 
 
 
 
 
 
13. 
 
 nuirber of days when field work is possible because of favorable weather conditions. 
 The basis for this colur-n was deterrined 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 ironth a.s follows (based on a 26-day working month 
 without allowance for holidays): 
 
 
 Available 
 
 Length of 
 
 
 Available 
 
 Len^jth of 
 
 Month 
 
 days 
 
 work day 
 
 Month 
 
 days 
 
 work day 
 
 
 
 hours 
 
 
 
 hour .'3 
 
 January 
 
 15 
 
 9 
 
 July 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 February 
 
 19 
 
 9 
 
 Aupust 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 Warch 
 
 18 
 
 10 
 
 September 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 April 
 
 22 
 
 10 
 
 October 
 
 22 
 
 10 
 
 May 
 
 23 
 
 10 
 
 November 
 
 22 
 
 9 
 
 June 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 December 
 
 15 
 
 9 
 
 Source of data: Based on precipitation records of the Ukiah 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 wjis only a few cars, then the number of days was litrited 
 to the tirre needed to get out those cars efficiently. If a field operation had to 
 be performed in a period less thvn the number of avf.ilr-ble devs in the month, then 
 the specific number of days was noted. These restrictions p.re shown in parentheses. 
 For example, in June harvesting grain was limited to the last hr If of the month, in 
 July spraying roples was lin:,ited to the first h'^.lf of the month, etc. 
 
 The totals of table 3 show the total required roan-days of needed seasonal 
 labor, the available days for field work during the month, and the necessary 
 number of men (as defined in t'he opening paragraph of table 3) required on a monthly 
 basis to care for the tasks ordinarily performed bv seasonal workers. 
 
 In an area such as Mendocino County, involving a variety of annual crops, 
 the findings as set forth in this renort are bound to fluctuate materially from 
 year to year, because of the market outlook upon what ana how much acreage is plant- 
 ed, and when it is planted; because of variable seasonal conditions affecting 
 yields, tirr,e 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 
 p-void a poor one, resulting in marked variations in the need for harvest labor. 
 
• m 
 
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