By post card, about 20 women were asked to the training session -- 

 and 16 came. They practiced setting ladders, using picking buckets and 

 then they actually picked some Gravensteins. We discouraged 2 appli- 

 cants during the training session, and screened out 2 others who were 

 rough, and gave promise of being even rougher if hired. 



We hired a retired couple to supervise these women, and although 

 they hardly knew an apple from a peanut, they learned quickly and did 

 a splendid job. 



The women picked the smaller to medium-sized trees and were paid 

 25 cents per box. They were assisted by an experienced, older man who 

 helped set the ladders and picked the hard-to reach branches. 



From one season's experience with this unusual labor crew, I have 

 drawn the following conclusions: 



1. Housewives are a real potential source of harvest help. 



2. Women can successfully pick from step ladders and from short 

 straight ladders on trees which are not over 15 feet tall. 



3. Women can pick apples carefully, but at the start they need 

 extra help and supervision. 



i|. Women can earn enough at the standard piece work rates, to at- 

 tract them to the job, but they should be told in advance that 

 with good picking 5 to 7 boxes per hour is average for women. 



5. It is necessary to allow flexibility in the hours of work to 

 fit particular family problems. 



6. By creating an atmosphere of consideration and courtesy, through 

 competent supervision and suitable arrangements for their per- 

 sonal convenience, it is possible to add dignity and appeal to 

 apple picking and will, I believe, bring help from a group 

 which is not ordinarily a part of the usual labor force. 



7. Although we did not attempt to glamorize the job of apple pick- 

 ing, I also must say that with a group of capable, responsible 

 women, there still will occur most of the problems incurred with 

 regular picking crews, with a few special ones for the ladies 



as well. 



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