LABOR SHORTAGE PUTTING MORE
WOMEN WORKERS UPON FARMS
Back to the soil is apparently becoming a strong feminine movement, according to a report released yesterday by Federal Agricultural Statistician George Knutson.
One April 1, 1942, 13 per cent of the total farm workers in the nation were women. A year ago only 1.5 per cent of the total were women.
The report revealed that, despite a strong wage increase, there is a definite shortage of farms labor particularly ranch hands. The supply of workers on April 1 was 72 per cent of normal compared with a demand 110 per cent over normal.
Monthly wages on April 1 without board averaged $74.75 as compared with $66.50 on March 1, and $55.75 a year ago. Day rates average $3.20 on April 1, 1942, compared with $2.70 on March 1 and $2.35 on April 1, 1941.
A total of 26,000 persons were employed on Wyoming farms and ranches on the first of this month. Of this number 18,000 were family workers and 8,000 hired workers.
Throughout the United States there were 97,000 fewer persons employed on farms than a year ago, though the index of farm wage rates was 28 per cent higher.
