1941

United States. Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Adjustment Administration

Documents farming practices in the New England states, showing the prosperity that fertile soils brought to hardworking farmers who cleared the hilly land. That fertile soil, rich in minerals, accumulated over the course of centuries covered in forests. Shows that generations of farmers have enriched themselves from these fertile soils without adequately caring for them. Failing farms, dilapidation and abandonment are shown to follow farming these depleted soils. "But it doesn't have to be this way," states a narrator in the character of an old Yankee. Application of lime and phosphorous fertilizers recommended by soil scientists are shown to restore and maintain soil fertility. Abundant harvests of hay are shown resulting from well-fertilized fields. Depicts pre-mechanized farming and logging practices, hand harvesting, and use of working animals.

George Ortlieb: photographed by; Paul Burnford : film editor; Richard Attridge : editorial assistant; John L. McDermid : production assistant; Carl Walker : production assistant; John Allen Finckel : music composed and conducted by; Frank Craner: narrator; Edgar Peterson II: directed by

Loudon, NH, U.S.; Quechee, VT, U.S.

IUL Moving Image Archive

IUL Moving Image Archive

English

1 film reel (26 min.) : sound, black and white ; 16 mm