76 THE COUNTY AGENT'S SERVICES 



the greater the need for a vigorous, broad-minded, well- 

 trained, large-viewed leadership. But there is less danger 

 from unwise and inadequate leadership in the strong func- 

 tioning organization because the organization itself is 

 likely to correct the danger. 



Wise and efficient leadership is, perhaps, most im- 

 portant in the initiatory and formative stages of an enter- 

 prise. The absence or presence of such leadership directly 

 limits progress and achievements. On the average leader- 

 ship usually involves more risk and is less dependable than 

 organization. Leadership is individual. Organization is 

 made up of numbers of individuals and the deficiencies of 

 one individual are likely to be offset by the good qualities 

 of another. 



THE NEED FOR ORGANIZATION 



The nature of the farmer's job as a producer and his 

 circumstances and environment have tended to make him 

 an individualist. This was especially true in the pioneer 

 days of farming in America. Then the farmer was al- 

 most self-sufficient. He raised his own food except, per- 

 haps, his sugar and salt, made his own clothing, built his 

 own house, and satisfied most of the wants of his family 

 at home. 



As is shown in Chapter VII, the increase in farm ef- 

 ficiency released workers from the farm and led to the 

 great growth of cities and to the specialization of indus- 

 tries. Gradually, the farmer became more dependent upon 

 the town. He, himself, tended toward specialization. 



The centralization of industry into great corporations, 

 in some cases practical monopolies, meant that individual 

 farmers must deal with powerful units with which they 

 were not qualified to cope. Too often big business has 

 taken advantage of this situation. In some cases it has 



