University of California 
 College of Agriculture 
 Agricultural Experiment Station 
 Berkeley, California 
 
 SEASONAL I A3 OR NEEDS FOR CALIFORNIA CROFS 
 LAKE COUNTY 
 Frogress Report No. 17 
 
 by 
 
 R» L. Adams 
 Preliminary — Subject to Correction 
 December, 1936 
 
 Contribution from the 
 Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics 
 Mimeographed Report No. 53 
 
 BRMWH OF ' T ^ TURE 
 
(Farm Labor Survey — July-December, 1936) 
 
 Progress Report No. 17 
 
 Seasonal Labor Needs for California Crops 
 Lake County 
 
 Scope of Presentation. -- The following considerations govern the presentation 
 of this progress report: 
 
 1. The data are confined to the area indicated above. 
 
 2. The data are confined solely to crops, livestock needs being ignored. 
 
 3. The findings apply only to occasional or seasonal labor requirements as 
 distinguished from labor contributed by farm operators and by 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 rresentation 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 . — Lake County lies in the midst of the Coast 
 Range Mountains, about 70 miles north of San Francisco Bay and about midway between 
 the Pacific Ocean on the west and the Sacramento Valley on the east. It is 60 
 miles long from north to south and 15 to 25 miles wide from east to west. It has 
 an area of 792,320 acres, of which only 47,475 are classified as crop land by the 
 United States Census of 1935. The important farming areas are located in the 
 central part of the county at an elevation of from 1,400 to 1,500 feet above sea 
 level. The principal soils which are of agricultural value are clay loams and 
 alluvial soils. Dairying is the most important agricultural enterprise of the 
 county; pears are the principal crop of the county. 
 
 Crops, Acreages, and Production . — The basis used in calculating seasonal need 
 for labor in addition to that furnished by farm operators and regularly employed 
 workers appears as table 1. 
 
 TABLE 1 
 
 Basis for Calculating Seasonal Labor Requirements 
 1 ake County 
 
 Crop 
 
 Acreage 
 
 Production 
 
 Field crops:* 
 Alfalfa hay f 
 
 5,999 
 
 15,946 tons 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
2. 
 
 Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crops 
 
 Acreage 
 
 Production 
 
 Ootti fnr p*r*fl i n V 
 
 
 u,oo<c bushels 
 
 Grain VirvIpv 
 
 
 /U,oco bushels 
 
 oats 
 
 515 
 
 14,845 bushels 
 
 wheat 
 
 2,133 
 
 38,491 bushels 
 
 Hay — - small grain 
 
 2,687 
 
 3,685 tons 
 
 other grasses 
 
 2,212 
 
 2,380 tons =f 
 
 Hops 
 
 124 
 
 817 bales in 1935 (1,267 in 1934) 
 
 Seed crops : 
 
 
 
 Carrots 
 
 120 
 
 
 I>C U U LI V tJ 
 
 50 
 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 Parsnips 
 
 15 
 
 
 v©^ J ei»o.DJL0 crops : h 
 
 
 
 N't* ncr "honyicf . yiv-.i vin< 
 QUI J-Ia^ UtJclXlC) CtAiirilllg 
 
 J.UU 
 
 600 tons 
 
 1^ f\ V* T> ^\ T" 1 
 
 \ja.Ti 0 XS 1 
 
 30 
 
 — — 
 
 rruiT. ana nui; crops: n 
 
 
 
 iixiuo nus 
 
 545 
 
 48 tons 
 
 Apples "f" 
 
 195 
 
 mm 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 Cherries "t 
 
 1 9 
 ±c 
 
 
 Grapes 
 
 
 Jo 'J tons 
 
 Olives "t" 
 
 
 
 Peaches "f 
 
 72 
 
 
 Pears — Bartlett 
 
 r , fOic 
 
 , 
 
 (20,844 tons of which 5,257 tons 
 
 Winter 
 
 56 
 
 ( (fresh weight) were dried 
 
 Prunes 
 
 1,674 
 
 2,513 tons (dry weight) ^ 
 
 Walnuts 
 
 2,155 
 
 481.5 tons -- 875.900 pounds 
 
 Chestnuts t 
 
 
 merchantable 
 
 15 
 
 
 * Data from United States Census, 1935. 
 
 T Use of seasonal labor on these crops inconsequential and hence ignored. 
 
 ^ The following drying ratios apply to these crops: 
 
 Hops 3 1/3 to 1 Prunes 2 l/4 to 1 
 
 Data from Federal State Crop Reporting Service. Acreage of specified 
 vegetable crops by counties. 1935. Beans doubled in 1936. 
 
 <fl From Stokes, Sydney J., Agricultural Commissioner, Lake County, and L. C. 
 Barnard, County Agent, Unitod States Department of Agriculture. 
 
 Operations Requiri ng Seasonal Labor and Time of Need .— Farm operations 
 requiring the use of seasonal or occasional labor for the various crops raised in 
 Lake 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 
 shipping and marketing. 
 
1 
 
TAB IE 2 
 
 Operations Requiring Use of Seasonal Labor and Times of Needs by- 
 Lake County- 
 
 Crops 
 
 Crop 
 
 Field crops : 
 Grain 
 
 Hay — other 
 
 than 
 
 alfalfa 
 Hops 
 
 Seed crops : 
 Carrot seed 
 
 Lettuce seed 
 
 Operation 
 
 Harvesting 
 
 Mowing 
 
 Raking 
 
 Shocking 
 
 Pruning, 
 stringing, 
 and train- 
 
 VI. » 
 
 Picking 
 
 Drying 
 
 Baling 
 
 Planting 
 
 Hoeing 
 
 Cutting - 
 by hand 
 
 Threshing 
 
 Thinning 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Fer cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 June 15-30 — 50 per cent 
 of acreage 
 
 July 1-15 — 50 per cent 
 of acreage -J 
 
 June 1-15 — all of acrea 
 June 1-15 — all of acrea w 
 June 1-15 — all of acreage 
 March 1-31 
 April 1-30 
 May 1-31 
 June 1-30 
 
 August 20-31 — 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 September 1-10 — 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 August 20-31 mm 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 September 1-10 — 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 ] 
 
 — • 
 
 September 10-30 
 crop 
 
 all of 
 
 December — 50 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 January ~ 50 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 April — 2/3 of job 
 May — 1/3 of job 
 
 August 20-31 — 20 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 September 1-30 — 60 
 
 per cent of acreage 
 October 1-10 — 20 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 September 1-30 — 60 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 October 1-20 — 40 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 
 May — all of acreage 
 
 } 
 
 J 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 66 
 
 70 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 \ 100 
 
 80 
 
 100 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 5 acres 
 
 7.5 acres 
 15.0 acres 
 30.0 acres 
 
 Total of 15 
 man-days 
 per acre 
 for season 
 
 215 pounds 
 (green 
 weight) 
 
 4,000 pounds 
 
 (green 
 
 weight) 
 12 bales of 
 
 200 pounds 
 
 (dry weight) 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 Total of 
 3 man- days 
 per acre 
 
 0.4 acre 
 
 0.33 acre 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
4. 
 
 Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Tine of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seas o nal help 
 
 Output per 
 man-day 
 
 Lettuce seed 
 (cont.) 
 
 Hoeing 
 Cutting 
 
 Onion seed 
 
 Parsnip seed 
 
 Vegetable 
 crops : 
 Beans — 
 string 
 
 Threshing 
 
 Flanting 
 
 Hoeing 
 
 Cutting — 
 by hand 
 Threshing, 
 rolling, 
 screening, 
 and washing 
 Planting 
 
 Hoeing 
 
 Harvesting 
 Threshing 
 
 Picking — 
 for canning 
 
 Fruit and 
 nut crops; 
 Almonds 
 
 Knocking 
 
 June -~ all of acreage 
 August 20-31 — 20 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 September 1-30 — 60 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 October 1-10 — 20 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 September 1-30 — 60 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 October 1-20 *» 40 per 
 
 cent of acreage 
 December — 50 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 January — 50 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 April — 2/3 of job 
 May — 1/3 of job 
 
 August 15-31 
 September 1-15 
 
 December — 50 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 January — 50 per cent 
 
 of acreage 
 April — 2/3 of job 
 May — l/3 of job 
 
 ] 
 
 j 
 
 j 
 
 August — all of acreage 
 September — all of acreage 
 
 July 15-31 — 20 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 August 1-31 — 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 September 1-30 — 30 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 August 1-31 — 50 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 September 1-30 — 50 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 80 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 90 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 80 
 
 100 
 
 100 
 
 0,5 acre 
 
 0.33 acre 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 0,3 acre 
 
 Total of 
 3 man-days 
 per acre 
 
 1/8 acre 
 
 4 man-days 
 per acre 
 
 0,5 acre 
 
 Total of 3 
 man- days 
 per acre 
 0,5 acre 
 0,33 acre 
 
 250 pounds 
 
 150 pounds 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
1 
 
5. 
 
 Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Operation 
 
 Tine of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 Almonds 
 (cont.) 
 
 Grapes 
 
 Pears 
 
 Hulling 
 
 Fruning 
 
 Picking 
 
 Pruning 
 
 Brush 
 disposal 
 
 Blight control 
 mm 8 tines 
 over acreage 
 
 Picking 
 
 Cutting for 
 drying 
 
 50 per 
 
 50 per 
 per cent 
 
 per 
 
 cent 
 
 August 1-31 — 
 cent of crop 
 September 1-30 — 
 
 cent of crop 
 January 1-31 — 40 
 
 of acreage 
 February 1-28 — 40 
 
 cent of acreage 
 March 1-31 ~ 20 per 
 
 of acreage 
 September 20-30 — 40 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 October 1-31 — 60 per 
 cent of crop 
 1-30 
 job 
 1-31 
 job 
 
 — 15 per 
 
 — 25 per 
 
 25 per 
 
 November 
 
 cent of 
 December 
 
 cent of 
 January 1-31 - 
 
 cent of job 
 February 1-28 25 par 
 
 cent of job 
 March 1-15 — 10 per 
 
 cent of job 
 November 1-30 
 
 cent of job 
 
 15 per 
 25 per 
 
 — 25 per 
 10 per cent 
 
 December 1-31 
 
 cent of job 
 January 1-31 — 25 per 
 
 cent of job 
 February 1-28 
 
 cent of job 
 March 1-15 — 
 
 of job 
 May 
 June 
 July 
 
 July 25-31 — 5 per cent 
 
 of crop 
 August 1-31 — 80 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 September 1-30 — 15 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 August 15-31 — 50 per 
 
 cent of job 
 September 1-30 — 50 per 
 cent of job 
 
 1 
 
 50 
 
 50 
 
 90 
 
 40 
 
 40 
 
 50 
 
 > 90 
 
 100 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 0,75 acre 
 
 2,400 
 pounds 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 5 acres 
 
 Varies 
 greatly — 
 average 4 
 man- days 
 per acre 
 
 2,000 
 pounds 
 
 1,375 pounds 
 (fresh 
 weight) 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
6. 
 
 Table 2 continued. 
 
 Crop 
 
 Pears 
 (cont.) 
 
 Prunes 
 
 Walnuts 
 
 Operation 
 
 Other labor 
 in dry-yard 
 
 Pruning — 50 
 per cent of 
 acreage 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 Picking up 
 
 Dipping and 
 drying 
 
 Fi eking up 
 
 Hulling (by 
 machine) 
 
 Time of need 
 
 Per cent of 
 work done by 
 seasonal help 
 
 J 
 
 100 
 
 40 
 
 August 15-31 — 45 per 
 
 cent of job 
 September 1-30 — 45 per 
 
 cent of job 
 October 1-30 — 10 per 
 
 cent of job 
 December 1-51 — l/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 January 1-31 — l/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 February 1-28 — l/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 December 1-31 — l/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 January 1-31 — l/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 February 1-28 — l/3 of 
 
 acreage 
 August 20-31 — 10 per 
 
 cent of crop* 
 September 20^30 — 30 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 October 1-31 — 60 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 
 August 20-31 — 10 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 September 20-30 — 30 
 
 per cent of crop 
 October 1-31 — 60 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 October 1-31 '— 90 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 November 1-7 — 10 per 
 
 cent of crop 
 Use of seasonal labor inconsequential and 
 
 40 
 
 90 
 
 90 
 
 100 
 
 80 
 
 Output per 
 man- day 
 
 26.5 hours 
 per fresh 
 ton 
 
 0,5 acre 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 ! , 500 pounds 
 
 1,250 pound: 
 (fresh 
 weight) 
 
 8.3 man- 
 hours per 
 fresh ton 
 
 300 pounds 
 hence ignored. 
 
 * Sugar prunes ripen earlier than French prunes and average larger in s 
 
 i ze , 
 
 Findings of Seasonal Labor .Needs.— Details and summaries of seasonal labor 
 requirements of lake 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 
 
1 
 
7. 
 
 differences in soil types, climatic conditions, weeds, yields, and other factors 
 influencing the amount of work that a laborer can perform in a given day. More- 
 over, 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 with certain of the tasks requiring use of seasonal workers. 
 The column headed "available days" reflects (a) limitations set from the period 
 within which the vrork must be performed because of the nature of the task, such 
 as transplanting, thinning, wooding, and cutting, and (b) available days as 
 determined by weather conditions, inclement weather reducing the number of days 
 whon a required task can be performed. The "required number of individuals" is 
 given in terms of workers as noted above in connection with "output per man-day." 
 
 It is probable that the estimated number of workers required, as recorded 
 in table 5, 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 
 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 — Lake County — by Months and Tasks 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man- day 
 
 man-days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 January 
 
 Carrot seed: Planting 
 
 60 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 120 
 
 14 
 
 9 
 
 
 Onion seed: Planting 
 
 5 acres 
 
 0.3 acre 
 
 17 
 
 14 
 
 2 
 
 
 Parsnip seed: Planting 
 
 7.0 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 14 
 
 14 
 
 1 
 
 
 Grapes: Pruning 
 
 96 acres t 
 
 0.75 acre 
 
 128 
 
 14 
 
 10 
 
 
 Pears: Pruning 
 
 781 acrest 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 3,905 
 
 14 
 
 279 
 
 
 Brush disposal 
 
 781 acres 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 157 
 
 14 
 
 12 
 
 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 223 acrest 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 446 
 
 14 
 
 32 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 223 acres 1" 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 90 
 
 14 
 
 1 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 4.877 
 
 14 
 
 349 man-months 
 
 February 
 
 Grapes: Pruning 
 
 96 . acres t 
 
 0.75 acre 
 
 128 
 
 18 
 
 8 
 
 
 Pears: Pruning 
 
 781 acres t 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 3,905 
 
 18 
 
 217 
 
 
 Brush disposal 
 
 781 acres "f~ 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 157 
 
 18 
 
 9 
 
 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 223 acres t 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 446 
 
 18 
 
 25 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 223 acres t 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 90 
 
 18 
 
 5 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 4.726 
 
 18 
 
 263 man-months 
 
 March 
 
 Hops: Pruning, stringing, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 training 
 
 124 acres 
 
 T 
 
 465 
 
 17 
 
 28 
 
 
 Grapes: Pruning 
 
 48 acres "t 
 
 0.75 acre 
 
 64 
 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 
 Pears: Pruning 
 
 312 acres t 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 1,560 
 
 17 
 
 92 
 
 
 Brush disposal 
 
 312 acres t 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 63 
 
 17 
 
 4 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 2.152 
 
 17 
 
 127 man-months 
 
 April 
 
 Hops: Pruning, stringing and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 II al I 1 X I IK 
 
 124 acres 
 
 1 
 
 / fi C 
 HcOO 
 
 on 
 
 
 
 Carrot seed: Hoeing 
 
 
 j 
 
 240 
 
 20 
 
 12 
 
 
 Onion seed: Hoeing 
 
 ! 
 
 i 
 
 20 
 
 20 
 
 1 
 
 
 Parsnip seed: Hoeing 
 
 
 < 
 
 30 
 
 20 
 
 2 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 755 
 
 20 
 
 38 man-months 
 
 May 
 
 Hops: Pruning, stringing, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 training 
 
 124 acre*? 
 
 
 465 
 
 21 
 
 23 
 
 
 Carrots for seed: Hoeing 
 
 4 
 
 
 120 
 
 21 
 
 6 
 
 
 Lettuce seed: Thinning 
 
 50 acres 
 
 0 . 5 acre 
 
 100 
 
 21 
 
 5 
 
 
 Onion seed: Hoeing 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 10 
 
 21 
 
 1 
 
 Table continued on next page. S° 
 

 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 V, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 • - - .- - 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ■ ■ ' - 
 
 
 
 ..... ; 
 ■' ; • 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 
 
 ...» —7 .. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 . ■ 
 - 
 
 
 •-—^5*— m 
 
 
 l ' ,T ' riob' 11 '(ma''' ■' ffls'v ■■ '■ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 3 continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Requi red 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 man-days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 May 
 
 Parsnip seed: Hoeing 
 
 
 • 4 
 
 15 
 
 21 
 
 1 
 
 (cont . ) 
 
 Pears: Blight control 
 
 3, 904 acres f 
 
 
 5,205 
 
 21 
 
 248 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 5.915 
 
 21 
 
 282 man-months 
 
 June 
 
 Grain: Harvesting 
 
 Hay — other than alfalfa: 
 
 1 , 387 acres *f" 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 278 
 
 13 
 
 22 (June 15-30) 
 
 
 Mowing 
 
 2,450 acres 1" 
 
 7 -5 acres 
 
 327 
 
 12 
 
 28 (June 1-15) 
 
 
 Raking 
 
 2,450 acres t 
 
 15.0 acres 
 
 164 
 
 12 
 
 14 (June 1-15) 
 
 
 Shocking 
 
 2,450 acres +" 
 
 30.0 acres 
 
 82 
 
 12 
 
 7 (June 1-15) 
 
 
 Hops: Pruning, stringing, and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 training 
 
 124 acres 
 
 
 465 
 
 25 
 
 19 
 
 
 Lettuce seed: Hoeing 
 
 50 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 100 
 
 25 
 
 4 
 
 
 Pears: Blight control 
 
 3 a 904 acres 
 
 
 5,205 
 
 25 
 
 209 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 — _ 
 
 6,621 
 
 25 
 
 265 man-months 
 
 July 
 
 Grain: Harvesting 
 
 1,387 acrest 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 278 
 
 13 
 
 22 (July 1-15) 
 
 
 Eeans — string: Picking 
 
 120 tons 
 
 250 pounds 
 
 960 
 
 13 
 
 74 (July 15-31) 
 
 
 Pears: Blight control 
 
 3,904 acres t 
 
 ft 
 
 5,205 
 
 26 
 
 201 
 
 
 Picking 
 
 938 tons t 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 938 
 
 5 
 
 188 (July 25-31) 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 7.381 
 
 26 
 
 284 man-months 
 
 August 
 
 Hops: Picking 
 
 272,333 pounds ll 
 
 215 .0 pounds 
 
 1,267 
 
 9 
 
 141 (Aug. 20-31) 
 
 
 Drying 
 
 179,740 pounds^ 
 
 4,000.0 pounds 
 
 45 
 
 • 
 
 5 (Aug. 20-31) 
 
 
 Carrots for seed: Cutting by 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 hand 
 
 24 acres 
 
 D.4 acre 
 
 60 
 
 9 
 
 7 (Aug. 20-31) 
 
 
 Lettuce seed: Cutting 
 
 10 acres 
 
 j. 33 acre 
 
 31 
 
 9 
 
 4 (Aug. 20-31) 
 
 
 Onion seed: Cutting by hand 
 
 10 acres 
 
 
 80 
 
 13 
 
 7 (Aug. 15-31) 
 
 
 Parsnip seed: Harvesting 
 
 15 acres 
 
 3.5 acre 
 
 30 
 
 13 
 
 3 (Aug.- 15-31) 
 
 
 Beans — string: Picking (for 
 
 
 
 
 
 93 tt 
 
 
 canning) 
 
 300 tons 
 
 250. pounds 
 
 2,400 
 
 26 
 
 
 Almonds: Knocking 
 
 48,000 pounds 
 
 150 pounds 
 
 320 
 
 26 
 
 13 
 
 
 Hulling 
 
 24,000 poundst 
 
 500 pounds 
 
 48 
 
 26 
 
 2 
 
 
 Pears: Picking 
 
 15,008 tons t 
 
 1.0 ton 
 
 15,008 
 
 26 
 
 578 
 
 
 Cutting for drying 
 
 2,629 tons « 
 
 1,375 pounds 
 
 3,811 
 
 13 
 
 294 (Aug. 15-31) 
 
 
 Other labor in dry-yard 
 
 2,366 tons 1 
 
 tf 
 
 6,269 
 
 13 
 
 483 (Aug. 15-31) 
 
 
 Prunes: Picking up 
 
 509 tons t 
 
 1.25 tons 
 
 408 
 
 9 
 
 46 (Aug. 20-31) 
 
 
 Dipping and drying 
 
 565 tons 
 
 
 469 
 
 9 
 
 53 (Aug. 20-31) 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 30.246 
 
 26 
 
 1.164 man-months 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
Ta.hle 3 continued. 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 Required 
 man- days 
 
 Available 
 days 
 
 Required number of 
 workers* 
 
 September 
 
 October 
 
 November 
 
 Hops: Picking 
 Drying 
 Baling 
 
 Carrots for seed: Cutting by 
 hand 
 
 Threshing 
 Lettuce seed: Cutting 
 
 Threshing 
 Onion seed: Threshing 
 Parsnip seed: Threshing 
 Beans — string: Ficking (for 
 
 canning) 
 Almonds: Knocking 
 
 Hulling 
 Grapes: Picking 
 Pears: Picking 
 
 Cutting for drying 
 
 Other labor in dry-yard 
 Prunes: Picking up 
 
 Dipping and drying 
 
 Totals 
 
 Carrots for seed: Cutting by 
 
 hand- 
 Threshing 
 Lettuce seed: Cutting 
 
 Threshing 
 Grapes: Picking 
 Pears: Other labor in dry-yard 
 Prunes: Picking up 
 
 Dipping and drying 
 Walnuts: Picking up 
 
 Totals 
 Pears: Pruning 
 
 Brush disposal 
 Walnuts: Picking up 
 
 Totals 
 
 272,333 pounds 
 179,740 pound's 
 572 bales i$j 
 
 72 acres 
 58 acres t 
 30 acres 
 24 acres t 
 10 acres 
 15 acres 
 
 180 tons 
 48,000 pounds 
 24,000 poundst 
 346 tons + 
 2,814 tonst 
 2,628 tons H 
 2,365 tons 
 1,527 tonst 
 1,696 tons 
 
 215.0 pounds 
 4,000 pounds 
 12.0 bales 
 
 0.4 acre 
 0.33 acre 
 0.33 acre 
 0.5 acre 
 
 0.33 acre 
 
 250 pounds 
 150 pounds 
 500 pounds 
 1.2 tons 
 1.0 ton 
 1,375 oounds 
 tf 
 
 1,250 pounds 
 ff 
 
 24 acres 
 38 acres T 
 10 acres 
 16 acres t 
 518 tons f 
 526 tons H 
 3,053 tons f 
 3,393 tons 
 347 tons t 
 
 0.4 acre 
 0.33 acre 
 0.33 acre 
 0.5 acre 
 1.2 tons 
 
 1,250 pounds 
 
 f? 
 0.15 ton 
 
 468 acres t 
 468 acres ~i 
 38 tons j 
 
 0.2 acre 
 5 .0 acres 
 300 pounds 
 
 1,267 
 45 
 48 
 
 180 
 176 
 91 
 48 
 40 
 46 
 
 1,440 
 320 
 48 
 289 
 2,814 
 3,809 
 6,269 
 2,444 
 1.408 
 
 20.782 
 
 60 
 116 
 
 31 
 32 
 432 
 1,393 
 4,885 
 2,828 
 2.314 
 
 2,340 
 94 
 254 
 
 2.686 
 
 8 
 8 
 17 
 
 25 
 25 
 25 
 25 
 12 
 12 
 
 25 
 25 
 25 
 8 
 25 
 25 
 25 
 
 25 
 
 7 
 14 
 
 7 
 14 
 21 
 21 
 21 
 21 
 21 
 
 _23_ 
 
 21 
 21 
 5 
 
 21 
 
 159 (Sept. 1-10) 
 6 (Sept. 1-10) 
 3 (Sept. 10-30) 
 
 4 (Sept. 1-15) 
 4 (Sept. 1-15) 
 
 58 
 13 
 
 2 
 
 37 (Sept. 20-30] 
 113 
 153 
 251 
 
 306 (Sept. 20-30 
 3 76 (Sept. 20-50 
 
 832 man-months 
 
 9 
 5 
 3 
 21 
 67 
 233 
 135 
 111 
 
 (Oct. 1-10) 
 (Oct. 1-20) 
 (Oct. 1-10) 
 (Oct. 1-20) 
 
 57 fi man- months 
 
 112 
 5 
 51 
 
 (Nov. 1-7) 
 
 128 man-months 
 
 Table continued on next page. 
 
 O 
 
At; 
 
"able 3 continued. 
 
 
 
 
 
 Required 
 
 Available 
 
 Required number of 
 
 Month 
 
 Crop and task 
 
 Size of task 
 
 Output per man-day 
 
 man-days 
 
 days 
 
 workers* 
 
 December 
 
 Carrot seed: Planting 
 
 60 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 120 
 
 14 
 
 9 
 
 
 Onion seed: Planting 
 
 5. acres 
 
 0.3 acre 
 
 17 
 
 14 
 
 fi 2 
 
 
 Parsnip seed: Planting 
 
 8 acres 
 
 0.5 acre 
 
 16 
 
 14 
 
 2 
 
 
 Pears: Pruning 
 
 781 acres t 
 
 0.2 acre 
 
 3,905 
 
 14 
 
 279 
 
 
 Brush disposal 
 
 781 acrest 
 
 5.0 acres 
 
 157 
 
 14 
 
 12 
 
 
 Prunes: Pruning 
 
 224 acrest 
 
 C.5 acre 
 
 448 
 
 14 
 
 32 
 
 
 Brush burning 
 
 224 acrest 
 
 2.5 acres 
 
 90 
 
 14 
 
 7 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 
 
 4,753 
 
 14 
 
 i 
 
 340 man-months 
 
 * On a monthly basis unless otherwise noted. 
 "("Estimated portion of the job done by seasonal workers. 
 
 !$ Hops, pruning, stringing, and training, estimated to require 15 man-days per acre distributed through 
 March, April, May and June. 
 
 <^ Hoeing on these crops estimated to require a total of 3 man-days per acre, two-thirds of the job in April 
 and one -third in May. 
 
 Q Blight control on pears varies greatly. Averaged about 4 man-days per acre, the total acreage being 
 
 covered 8 times during the 3 months. 
 
 II Green weight . 
 
 ** One-eighth of an acre per man-day, 
 
 ft In 1935 about 300 men were employed picking beans on 100 acres in August. 
 
 \ ^Dry-yard labor, other than cutting, estimated as follows: 
 
 Pears — 26.5 man-hours per fresh ton dried. 
 Prunes — 8.3 man-hours per fresh ton dried. 
 
 4 <£ Dry-weight, 200 pounds to the bale. 
 
 fl*^ These operations estimated to require a total of 4 man-days- per acre. £ 
 
12. 
 
 TABLE 4 
 
 Summary of Seasonal Labor Needs by Months 
 Lake County 
 1935 
 
 Month 
 
 Required man-days 
 of seasonal labor 
 
 Available 
 days 
 
 Required man-months 
 of seasonal labor 
 
 January 
 
 4,877 
 
 14 
 
 349 
 
 February 
 
 4,726 
 
 18 
 
 263 
 
 March 
 
 2,152 
 
 17 
 
 127 
 
 April 
 
 755 
 
 20 
 
 38 
 
 May 
 
 5,915 
 
 21 
 
 282 
 
 June 
 
 6,621 
 
 25 
 
 265 
 
 July 
 
 7,381 
 
 26 
 
 284 
 
 August 
 
 30,246 
 
 26 
 
 1,164 
 
 September 
 
 20,782 
 
 25 
 
 832 
 
 October 
 
 12,091 
 
 21 
 
 576 
 
 November 
 
 2,688 
 
 21 
 
 128 
 
 December 
 
 4,753 
 
 14 
 
 340 
 
 Total 
 
 102,987 
 
 
 4,648 
 
1 
 
 0 
 
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 50 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 perish- 
 able products. 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 Lake 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 per 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. 
 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 work- 
 ing month without allowance for holidays): 
 
 Month 
 
 Available 
 days 
 
 Length of 
 work day 
 
 Month 
 
 Available 
 days 
 
 Length of 
 work day 
 
 January 
 
 
 hours 
 
 
 
 hours 
 
 14 
 
 9 
 
 July 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 February 
 
 18 
 
 9 
 
 August 
 
 26 
 
 10 
 
 March 
 
 17 
 
 10 
 
 September 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 April 
 
 20 
 
 10 
 
 October 
 
 21 
 
 10 
 
 May 
 
 21 
 
 10 
 
 November 
 
 21 
 
 9 
 
 June 
 
 25 
 
 10 
 
 December 
 
 14 
 
 9 
 
 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 the picking of pears was limited to the last 7 
 days of the month. 
 
 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. 
 
14. 
 
 In an area such as Lake 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 oper- 
 ations 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. 
 
*