Reel and Slide (Mar-Dec 1918)

REEL and SLIDE 21 International Slides Go to Farmers By Jonas Howard HE soil is the nation's capital "because it furnishes the farmer's medium of production, and the farmer is the source of a vast part of the nation's wealth. If the soil is properly worked, not only with a view to present productivity, but with an eye to the future, the nation is taking a farsighted method of insuring future "interest" on its investment. How shall the farmer be most deeply impressed with the results of efficient farming and soil conservation? By books, and by the co-operation of agricultural colleges, certainly ; by lectures and by the government bulletins, too. But, it has been found that the great majority of farmers are inclined to be indifferent to many truths they read in cold print. They have little time to study scientific farming literature closely and small inclination to follow'it. Upon this hypothesis, the International Harvester Co. has adopted the screen as the most effective means of "showing" the farmer, so he can see with his own eyes, the results of efficient, scientific soil conservation, and also of wasteful and inefficient methods. He is shown how the former methods increase the money in his pocket book, and how the latter methods knock holes in his profits. A Film on Gardening Perhaps no business organization in the United States has undertaken a bigger task in the field of visual instruction than this company. An Extension Department in the Chicago offices works closely with rural schools, colleges and other institutions in presenting interesting and yet helpful charts, films and stereopticon slides to the 4,891,000 SEE HARVESTER SUBJECTS FROM January, 1916, to January, 1918, 4,891,000 people got the "message" of the International Harvester Company by means of the screen. Here are the figures: Campaign meetings, 10,276; chart and lantern slide meetings, 39,721; total meetings held, 49,997; attendance chart and slide meetings, 3,756,000; attendance all meetings, 4,891,000. "The success of the venture has been evident from the start," says an officer of the company. 4,891,000 people got the Harvester message in one year — mostly farmers. younger generation who are destined to get the most out of the soil in the future. Recently, the company produced a motion picture on gardening which has been much in demand arrlong the superintendents of rural school districts in various parts Camera Work Now Possible for All AGRICULTURAL colleges, normal schools and big business organizations have recognized the possibilities_ of using a motion picture camera, in conjunction with their screen work, according to Mr. O. A. Meyer of the Simplex Photo Products Co. "It has been found convenient and useful to have an Alamo camera on the spot by many of these institutions," says Mr. Meyer, "as the Alamo is simple to operate — any novice can soon learn to use it. "The most important question camera workers' want answered is, 'How can I take up this line of work with the minimum of cost for apparatus and materials?' "After a thorough review of existing equipment for motion photography and eliminating the expensive and cumbersome professional apparatus, the answer is, the Alamo, made by The Simplex Co., is a camera at once small, light, compact, minimum film capacity, and at a price which places it within the reach of everyone. "No commercial photographer need refuse orders for motion films now that the Alamo is available, and his profits on a single job would pay for the camera many times over in many instances. "Possibilities here for the home portraiture man that we need only hint at, as he is a 'live wire' to begin with. The Alamo is furnished with a rapid aplanat lens working at f-6, with a focal length of two inches, and, at full aperture, will render sharply all objects at distances of eight feet or more from the camera. "For experienced workers or those to whom the added simplicity of a fixedfocus lens would not appeal, the camera may be had with any of the standard anastigmat lenses designed for motion picturecameras, which are supplied in focusing mounts, such as the Zeiss Tessar, f-3.5, of two-inch focus. Such lenses, of course, add superior facilities for interior work and for outdoor work under poor light. "The use of a camera of this kind would, in many cases, mean also the use of a suitable projector, especially in the hands of the amateur photographer who wishes to follow up his work to the final triumph of projection upon the screen. "The manufacturers of the Alamo have provided for this in their Precision Portable Projector, designed for home, school, or commercial use. A staunch, practical machine, embodying the most approved forms of film-moving mechanism and with simplifications in details which make its use a success in the most inexperienced hands." of the United States. The film is instructive and entertaining and shows what can be done, with small space, by any one who has the wish to try. The company's list of lantern slide sets cover nearly every branch of marketing, poultry keeping, stock raising and crop rotation. Screen Popular in the Country The success of this department has been evident from the start. Lectures are supplied with the slides and charts, prepared by experts in various branches of agriculture and all are loaned free to schools and colleges who apply for them. To give an idea of the popularity of the screen among people living in rural communities, the following figures are taken from the reports of the department covering the period from January, 1916, to January, 1917: Campaign meetings $ 10,276 Chart and lantern slide meetings 39,721 Total number of meetings held. . 49,997 Attendance chart and slide meetings 3,756,000 Attendance campaign meetings... 1,135,000 Attendance (all meetings) 4,891,000 Thus, it will be seen that a total of 4,891,000 attended the chart and slide meetings during that period. Change the Slides That's all there is to "operating" the Victor Portable Stereopticon The original Victor features that a few years ago made possible the popular use of lantern slides have been further improved. The same solid cast aluminum construction is used. Service and genuine satisfaction is guaranteed. Write today for information on the variations of lenses and lamps that provide for every need. A^k terms. for "trial-before-purchase" Victor Animatograph Company 125 Victor BIdg., Davenport, Iowa, U. S. A.