APPENDIX 135 



paradoxical ; so much has been heard lately of the pros- 

 perity of the American farmer. . . . What with 

 the splendid educational work of the Department of 

 Agriculture, of State Governments, and State and private 

 Universities, there is no normal reason why the increase 

 of acreage should not have been accompanied by in- 

 creased productivity. . . The best in the country- 

 side turns to the towns for advancement, while the 

 adventurous who wish to remain farmers sell their 

 holdings, pack their chattels, and go to Canada. . . . 



Lack of Organisation". 



It is thus pretty clear that something is radically 

 wrong with the rural economy of the country. Accord- 

 ing to the promoters of the Commission that is going 

 to Europe, and to foreign observers so expert as Sir 

 Horace Plunkett, the trouble is that there is no business 

 system at all. It is argued that the farmer has no 

 traditions. . . . Naturally in a community where 

 enterprise is mainly selfish the amenities of social life 

 are lacking. There are few of the social traditions that 

 characterise, or used to characterise, the yeomanry at 

 home. 



The article concludes by showing the need of 

 co-operation. 



