The Coolidge examiner., 1946-09-27
Cotton Picking
Again Underway
After Rains Cease
County gins were averaging $50
bales daily - Expect to pick
out oo1o of crop by end Of
January.

o'SS NolI CNpSCI 10 PiCA
out oo1o of crop by end Of
January.
Harvesting of the Pinal county
cotton crop began Monday after
practically a week OF wet fields
brought picking to a standstill.
Surveys made by the office of the
county agricultural agent just pri-
or to the storm showed that daily
ginnings for the county were av-
eraging $50 bales. At this rate the
present labor supply will, by the
end of January, 1947 assuming
average weather conditions, pick
out 60 per cent of the crop.
Securing additional labor to pick
pick the remaining 40 per cent
presents a real problem. Many in
dividual growers have sent trucks
to eastern states and transported
crews OF cotton pickers to their
fields, usually under an arrange
ment where transportation is free
and all pickers will be returned to
their homes when picking is COM
pleted, providing they stay with
the man who hauled them out here
until his picking is completed.
Several means of increasing the
farm labor supply have been TAX
en- by the agricultural extension
service, through their farm labor
offices. They are keeping a rep
resentative in Texas, working with
the Texas agricultural extension
service, directing crew leaders
(contractors) to Arizona cotton
fields. Several of these crew lead
ers and their crews have arrived
in Pinal county and are at work
in the cotton hrvest. Many others
are expected as cotton picking is
finished in the Plains area of
Texas.
In order to further assist in re-
cruiting labor, camps are being
built on the eastern border of Ari-
zona where main roads lead into
the state. Here people who give
the appearance of being farm
workers are offered an opportun-
ity to house themselves in the
camp. avail themselves of bathing
and laundry service, etc. A repre-
sentative of the Arizona agricul-
tural extension service encourages
them to locate in one of the Arl-
zona counties where labor Is need
ed. While this work is just begin
ming, 1t indicates that 1t will be
very effective in increasing the
local labor supply.
Every prospective worker is
furnished copy of a recent pub
lication, gotten out by the agricul-
tural extension service, which
states that Arizona offers good
wages and long season of work
in its agriculture. Location of all
county farm labor offices is given,
as is information on climate, hous-
ing, etc. The publication gives
acreage and other figures on the
main Arizona crops, including cot
ton, lettuce, carrots, canteloupes
and melons, potatoes, flax, citrus
fruits, alfalfa and alfalfa seed, and
grain sorghums. A table shows the
months in which labor for each of
these industries is required.
Arrangements have been made
by Roy R. Young, state farm la
Dor supervisor for the agricultural
extension service, to have recruit
ed interstate labor for shipment
to Arizona by the office of labor
of the war food administration.
These workers will of course not
become available until after crops
are harvested in their present To-
cation, but means have been TAX
en- to insure their immediate re-
cruitment and transportation
when they are available.
Probably only limited amount
of Mexican nationals will be avail
able this year, other than those
already in Arizona. The govern
ment is insisting that farmers do
everything possible to place re-
turning veterans in employment,
as well as workers formerly in
war industries, before using ma
tionals of another country. Certi-
fication of Mexican nationals will
be approved only if and when in
Fterstate workers are not available
for the work in which there is a
need.