14 CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



produce-seller. But the moment we enter the 

 realm of the market we step outside the individu- 

 alistic aspect of the problem as embodied in the 

 current doctrine of technical agricultural teach- 

 ing, and are forced to consider the social aspect 

 as emphasized, first of all, in the economic 

 category of price. Here we find many factors — 

 transportation cost, general market conditions 

 at home and abroad, the status of other indus- 

 tries, and even legislative activities. The farm \ 

 problem becomes an industrial question, not 

 solely one of technical and business skill. 

 Moreover, the problem is one of a successful 

 industry as a whole, not merely the personal 

 successes of even a respectable number of indi- 

 vidual farmers. The farming class must pro- 

 gress as a unit. 



But have we yet reached the heart of the 

 question ? Is the farm problem one of technique 

 plus business skill, plus these broad economic 

 considerations ? Is it not perfectly possible that 

 agriculture as an industry may remain in a fairly 

 satisfactory condition, and yet the farming class 

 fail to maintain its status in the general social 

 order ? Is it not, for instance, quite within the 

 bounds of probability to imagine a good degree 

 of economic strength in the agricultural industry 



