526 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



publications to be sent to addresses furnished. The total distribu- 

 tion from this section was 24,105 Farmers' Bulletins and 5,745 mis- 

 cellaneous publications. 



After a thorough study of existing conditions in the section of 

 illustrations a system of cost accountmg was developed and is now 

 in the process of installation. 



CONSOUDATION OF STOCK OF PUBLICATIONS. 



For some time past it has been the practice to carry a stock of 25 of 

 each publication in the addressing, duplicating, and mailing section. 

 This was considered necessary under the schemes of distribution 

 which were then in effect. By a careful review of these schemes of 

 distribution it developed that the carrying of this duplicate stock in 

 the addressing, duplicating, and mailing section could be eliminated 

 and at the same time improve the service. This stock was con- 

 solidated with the stock already carried by the distribution section 

 at 215 Thirteenth Street SW., resulting in a saving of time and 

 speeding up of department work. 



Prior to the consolidation the storage space in the basement of 215 

 Thirteenth Street was entirely utilized and the matter of obtaining 

 increased space was under consideration, but by systematic reduction 

 of the bulk stock, resulting from facts developed by a very careful 

 inventory, it is now possible to not only carry the necessary stock in 

 the present space but to have space reserved for the arrival of new 

 publications. While this reduction of bulk stock and consequent 

 saving of space has not resulted in any monetary saving, yet had it. 

 not been done it was only a question of time when it would have been 

 necessary to obtain additional space. 



IMPROVEMENT OF PERSONNEL. 



While there has been no reduction in personnel of the division, yet. 

 by shifting the various employees to where their services were most, 

 needed it has been possible to keep the work practically up to date 

 whereas formerly the work was at certain periods of the year from 

 four to six weeks behind. This has enabled us to make a saving this 

 year of approximately $650 in money available for employment of 

 emergency assistance. A rearrangement of the personnel will enable 

 us to drop 12 positions, totaling $9,000 annually, July 1, 1923, ia 

 addition to the employees in the sections of Motion Pictures and 

 Exhibits who were transferred to the Extension Service roll. 



