54 ANXUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



boys and girls. In addition, 800 specialists in different phases of 

 agriculture and home economics are employed to aid the county ex- 

 tension workers and to give advice and assistance in special and 

 emergency situations. It is estimated that farms and farm homes 

 adopted not less than 4,000,000 improved practices through the ef- 

 forts of the extension workers during 1922, of which at least 924,000 

 were brought about through home-demonstration work. The total en- 

 rollment in boys' and girls' club work during 1922 was approximately 

 600,000, and 358,000 reports meeting all requirements were received. 

 The total value of all products reported produced by club members 

 was approximately $8,650,000. There was an increase during the 

 year in the number of negro extension agents employed. There are 

 now 294 negro field agents, and substantial progress in the work of 

 these agents is reported. 



The exhibits prepared to illustrate the department's work and the 

 best agricultural practices have proved their value by the great in- 

 crease in the demand for them from fairs, expositions, conventions, 

 farmers' weeks at State colleges, and from various other sources. 

 A conservative estimate places the number of persons who viewed 

 these exhibits in 1922-23 at 8,836,000 and the number of exhibitions 

 at 114. Specially designed exhibits have been used for calling atten- 

 tion to methods for controlling the white-pine blister rust, the 

 eradication of tuberculosis in livestock, the prevention and control 

 of forest fires, the desirability of good roads, the saving of land from 

 erosion, maintaining the health of farm animals, and for various 

 other purposes. The exhibits are all prepared after discussions by 

 men in the various bureaus, and consequently they represent the best 

 information to be had on each subject. 



The increase in the demand for exhibits over the preceding year 

 shows the department has found in them a very desirable method 

 for reaching the people who can make use of its information. There 

 was a 26 per cent increase in the number of persons viewing them 

 and an increase of 63 per cent in number of exhibitions. 



The past 12 months have been a notable period in the history 

 of the motion-picture work of the Department of Agriculture. The 

 motion-picture office and laboratory now occupies a modern, fire- 

 proof building. An outstanding development is the striking increase 

 in the known audience reached by the films. Every user is asked to 



