DIVISIOK" OF PUBLICATIONS. 393 



Needed equipment Avas added to the motion-picture laboratory, 

 with an increase in quantity and an improvement in quality of out- 

 put. The laboratory is now in a better position to keep step with 

 photofjraphy in the field. 



At the end of the fiscal year the department's motion-picture films 

 included 112 agricultural subjects. The number of reels available 

 for distribution was 460. or more than 460,000 feet of film. All of 

 this film was in circulation, most of it constantly. During the year 

 more than 700,000 persons witnessed showings of one or more de- 

 partment films. This calculation is based only on reports to the 

 department from users of film, and takes no account of showings for 

 which no reports were made. 



These reports also indicate a wide variety of uses for the motion 

 picture, despite its comparative newness in agricultural extension 

 and field work. For instance, a county agent projects the film, 

 "Construction of a Wooden Hoop Silo," before a farm bureau meet- 

 ing, and he shows in 15 minutes what would require a full day 

 to demonstrate. A Bureau of Animal Industry inspector overcomes 

 opposition to cattle-tick eradication by showing " The Charge of 

 the Tick Brigade," supplementing that film with " Making the South 

 Tick-Free"; and enlists effective cooperation in hog-cholera eradica- 

 tion by use of the film, " Control of Hog Cholera." These instances 

 may be multiplied to a number and variety governed only by local 

 needs and conditions and by the enterprise of the field workers in 

 taking advantage of the films that have been made primarily for 

 their use. 



Don Carlos Ellis, who since early in 1918 had been assistant in 

 charge of motion-picture activities, resigned on January 1, 1920, to 

 enter the commercial motion-picture business. On March 15, Fred 

 W. Perkins was appointed to succeed him. 



EXHIBITS AT AGRICULTURAL FAIRS. 



The agricultural exhibits shown by the department at fairs and 

 expositions are becoming more popular each year. Great effort has 

 been put forth to make them fully representative of the department's 

 work and also of the best practices in present-day agriculture. The 

 chief purpose of the exhibits is educational — to influence the be- 

 holder to improve his own practice. During the fiscal year the ex- 

 hibits were shown at 62 fairs, in 36 States, with an attendance of 

 more than 8,000,000 persons. These facts indicate the value of this 

 method of acquainting tlio public with the department's results. 



Prior to the passage of the Agricultural appropriation bill for 

 1920, on July 24, 1919, only tentative plans for the work during the 

 1919 fair season could be made. Those fairs desiring the exhibits 

 were determined, and all conditions surrounding each case were 

 ascertained; the itineraries for each circuit were laid out, and ar- 

 rangements made with the railroads for the prompt movement of 

 the cars containing the exhibits. The exhibits were assembled at 

 Alexandria. Va.. divided into fiM' nearly equal sets, each set when 

 boxed and crated weighing about 20,000 pounds, and all made ready 

 for shipment over the five circuits contemplated. The exhibits were 

 contributed by 12 bureaus of the department and illustrated the work 

 being done or results accomplished. 



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