Excerpt from Ninth Biennial Report of the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the State of California: For the Years 1899-1900 The work of this Bureau, carried to completeness, covers a large and exceedingly varied field, while the authority and means possessed by those connected therewith for accomplishing the said work are but limited. To well gather the industrial statistics of the State, and there after to tabulate and present biennially in a report, in an intelligent manner, such statistics, as contemplated by the Act creating the Bureau, require a larger staff of assistants, and a more liberal appropriation, than the Bureau has been provided with thus far. In addition to the statistical work named, statutes enacted from time to time have added other work to the Bureau, such as inspection of industrial establishments, and the enforcement therein of laws relating to the safety, health, and comfort of employés. And still again, other work has, by legislative mandate or by custom, grown to be part of the work of the Bureau; such, for instance; as the investigation of com plaints by working people of wrong or injustice suffered by them at the hands of employers or others, and the righting of the wrong or injustice complained of, when it is found to exist, as far as within the power of the Bureau so to do. My predecessors, almost without exception, have called attention to the failures which usually follow attempts to collect data by correspond ence. Those possessed of the information sought for in such cases, and to whom inquiries are addressed, as a rule neglect to make reply. This neglect arises, in some cases, from simple indifference; in others, from resentment toward what is deemed to be interference with private affairs; and in others, still again (happily in but few cases), from lack of disposition to oblige. Often, too, when replies are made, they are so incomplete as to be of no statistical value. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The role of the Chinese in California agriculture during the later decades of the 19th century and early part of the 20th century was an integral aspect of the agricultural history of the western United States. Although the number of Chinese involved in agricultural occupations at one time never exceeded 6000 to 7000 workers, their lack of numbers does not diminish their impact. Author Chan, of Chinese origin, has made extensive use of census records and county archival sources to produce the first full history of the Chinese in California agriculture.