This 1938 USDA film depicts the story of a Southern farmer — Sam Farmer, his cotton farm, and the battle against boll weevil. The film was made in the post- Dust Bowl era, and preaches sustainable farming. As Sam’s cotton production is inadequate, he seeks guidance from a county agent who directs Sam towards fundamentals of cotton production such as seed selection, treatment, proper planting cultivation and terracing among others. The film was presented by the US Department of Agriculture in cooperation with Agriculture Extension Services of five southern states (:09). While the film shows the plight of a white farmer, African American farm workers appear throughout, as they played a vital role in the cotton industry in this era. Sam Framer was played by Fred O. McCown, and his wife played by Leila Bolt McCown, both of South Carolina. The film was directed by Maurice Ricker with camera by Carl Turvey.

The opening scene shows farm workers, including African Americans, standing in a cotton field next to heaps of picked cotton (:47) which is then lifted onto the back of a wooden cart for transport. Sam keeps track of his harvest (2:04) as his wife Mary approaches him concerned about financial troubles (2:04). Sam delivers the first load of cotton to the gin (2:28). Cylinders suck the cotton up into the machine (2:34). A freshly pressed cotton bale rolls out (2:59) as the narrator notes this harvest of cotton appears to be sub-par due to early picking (3:13) which leaves the cotton too green and too wet. Regardless, Sam and the cart of cotton bales move to town to find a buyer (3:34). After three buyers (3:56-5:07) are displeased with the cotton and offer Sam prices well below the market price, Sam’s neighbor John Jones arrives (5:26). Jones is able to sell his cotton for above the market price prompting Sam Farmer’s intrigue. Jones informs Sam he had learned from the Five-Acre Cotton Improvement contest. Chickens bounce from their coup (6:19). Sam and Mary load up their Ford Model A with goods to be sold in town (6:32). Miss Brown of the County Home Demonstration visits Mary at her table (7:01) suggesting Mary to have Sam meet with the county agent in order to improve their cotton production (7:18). A local moves in to purchase goods from Mary (7:36). Mary visits Mr. Smith in his office (7:55) requesting he visit their farm. Mr. Smith arrives (8:23) locating Sam and some of his workers in the field (9:02). The county agent notices the wetness and greenness of the cotton as it had been picked too early and must be spread out in order to dry (9:54). He also notes the rows of crops should be closer together (10:17). He suggests a seed treatment and better placement of fertilizer (10:50). Mr. Smith notes the plants have also not been properly protected against the boll weevil, a beetle which feeds mainly on cotton and flower buds (11:17). Proper terracing is necessary to hinder soil erosion on the farm (12:14). The pair discusses what the proper seeds to purchase and mix (12:55). The Cotton Contest from 1935 (13:06) is looked at for better yield and staple value. Mr. Smith suggest Sam enter the contest (13:25). Sam sets to plowing his field (13:33). Farm equipment delivered from the association is used to build terraces (13:43). The open pages of the Cotton Variety Experiments are shown (14:10). Sam writes up an order for pedigree seeds (14:41) and visits his neighbor for the rest of his seeds (15:08). A meeting is shown of the Extension Service workers and local farmers (15:56). Sam returns to the field in early autumn to cut down cotton stalks (17:04) and again in spring to plow in the under-cover crop (17:20). Sam thoroughly harrows the land (17:31). He receives advice on fertilizer in the county clerk’s office (17:47). A bull tongue plow is put to use after fertilizer is set and rows are measured for proper spacing (18:12). A pesticide is mixed to properly protect against the boll weevil (21:57). This is applied to the plants with a makeshift mop (22:51). The cotton is ready to be picked (24:58) and transported to the cotton gin (25:08). Fresh bales are transported to town (26:07). A buyer offers Sam a price above market (26:25). A selected area is measured at Sam’s farm for the Five Acres Contest (27:23). Mary and Sam receive a letter informing them they earned one of the six prizes for the contest (28:22). Sam receives his award (28:37). Sam admires appliances purchased with money from his improved cotton field (29:15) over a bowl of ice cream (30:15). The End.

This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com