704 EXPEEIMENT STATION EECOED. 



ucts, and other allied subjects. The rural engineering divisions of 

 the Iowa State College, Cornell University, and the University of 

 Wisconsin are among others which are handling one or more phases 

 of the problem. 



From "these and other sources there has been accumulated a consid- 

 erable amount of valuable data. The field is still far from exhausted, 

 however, and there is abundant opportunity for further inquiry, 

 whether conducted from the medical, economic, or engineering points 

 of view. One special need is for additional studies of typical farms 

 and rural communities for the primary purpose of standardizing 

 farm sanitary conditions on the basis of locality, type of farm, and 

 financial status of the farmer. There must be a more intimate knowl- 

 edge of rural conditions and a better understanding of what remedies 

 are practicable before scientific measures can be most effectively 

 applied. Many farmers are financially unable to install the more 

 expensive systems of heating, plumbing, and the like, and this class usu- 

 ally includes those who are most in need of improvements. The more 

 urgent problem, then, is that of securing for this class of farmers 

 sanitary surroundings at a cost commensurate with their means. 

 These more elementary, but oftentimes nearly as puzzling conditions, 

 merit more attention than they have hitherto received. 



But in many instances the first work is to arouse public interest and 

 appreciation, and effect improvements which will be relatively 

 simple and inexpensive. Often a change of attitude grows out of an 

 understanding of these matters, and much may be expected from 

 suggestion and illustration. The desire for improvement and faith 

 in it must precede any very considerable change, as it must 

 in all methods of practice on the farm. It calls, therefore, for 

 propaganda and educational work, and in this the personal contact 

 and appeal are as essential as they are in dealing with the improve- 

 ment of methods and practices on the farm. Hence, the methods of 

 extension work and demonstration are specially suited to meet its 

 needs, and the relationship of the subject to agriculture and home 

 economics makes it one which will naturally receive attention. The 

 new extension movement seems to furnish the first opportunity for a 

 widespread dissemination of information and a campaign along these 

 lines. And while it will naturally form only an incidental feature 

 of the larger work of agricultural extension, it may well result in an 

 awakening growing out of broader intelligence. Already the Iowa 

 College has organized in its extension division a distinct section on 

 rural sanitation, while other institutions are giving some phases of 

 it attention, either as a part of their extension work in rural engi- 

 neering or in connection with their demonstrations in home economics. 



