Chapters in Rural Progress

This book does not offer a complete analysis of the rural problem; but attempts, in general, to present some of the more significant phases of that problem, and, in particular, to describe some of the agencies at work in solving it. Several of the chapters were originally magazine articles, and, though all have been revised and in some cases entirely rewritten, they have the limitations of such articles. Other chapters consist of more formal addresses. Necessarily there will be found some lack of uniformity in style and in method of presentation, and occasional duplication of argument or statement. For permission to use articles, in whole or in part, I have to thank the editors of the Chautauquan , Arena , Forum , Review of Reviews , Popular Science Monthly , Michigan Alumnus , New England Farmer , Cornell Countryman ; also Professor L. R. Taft, superintendent of Farmers' Institutes in Michigan, and the officers of the American Civic Association. Two chapters comprise material heretofore unpublished. CONTENTS PREFACE. INTRODUCTION I. The Study of Rural Life II. The Problems of Progress THE OUTLOOK III. The Expansion of Farm Life IV. The New Farmer V. Culture from the Corn-Lot AGENCIES OF PROGRESS VI. Education for the Farmer VII. Farmers' Institutes VIII. The Hesperia Movement IX. The Rural School and the Community X. The Grange XI. Opportunities for Farm Women XII. The Country Church and Progress XIII. A Summary of Recent Progress FORWARD STEPS XIV. The Social Side of the Farm Question XV. The Needs of New England Agriculture XVI. An Untilled Field in American Education XVII. Federation for Rural Progress INTRODUCTION THE STUDY OF RURAL LIFE The American farm problem, particularly its sociological aspect, has not as yet had the attention that it deserves from students. Much less have the questions that concern rural social advancement found the popular mind; in truth, the general city public has not been deeply interested in the farmer. But there seem to be recent indications that the sentiment is changing. The heated discussions in New England about Mr. Hartt's interesting clinic over a decadent hill-town, the suggestive fast-day proclamation of Governor Rollins of New Hampshire a few years ago, the marvelous development of agricultural education, the renewed study of the rural school, the widespread and growing delight in country life, have all aroused an interest in and presage a new attention to rural conditions. This is well.…