PROBLEMS OF RURAL SOCIAL LIFE 363 



description supplied the need for wholesome recreation. Now 

 we have outgrown the need for those precise forms of social 

 gathering, and have not, as yet, developed anything satisfactory 

 to take their place. We may say distinctly, therefore, that here 

 is one of the unsolved problems of American rural life, though 

 a ] martial solution has already been found in some sections of 

 the; country. In the old-fashioned Southern barbecue, which still 

 sumves in certain favored communities ; in the Old Settlers' 

 Day, which is celebrated in some communities of the central 

 West ; and in the Old Home Week of New England, we have 

 examples of rural festivities which illustrate what may be done 

 in any community where the whole countryside turns out for a 

 holiday. Doubtless there are numerous other examples in other 

 parts of the country. In some of the older countries the number 

 and character of these festivals constitute an attractive feature 

 of rural life. 



The tough neighborhood. One difficulty with us is that we are 

 not yet far enough removed from the backwoods stage to have 

 entirely eliminated the rowdy element from our rural population. 

 This element is frequently so much in evidence on these oc- 

 casions, especially in backwoods neighborhoods, as to keep the 

 more decent and self-respecting element away, thus destroying 

 the value of the festival. A few generations of severe compe- 

 tition will doubtless give the advantage more and more to the 

 sober, steady-going, self-respecting element, especially where the 

 land is highly desirable. The restless, turbulent, rowdy ele- 

 ment being crowded out, one of the greatest drawbacks to a 

 wholesome social life in the country will have disappeared. This 

 process is noticeably taking place in the best farming regions, 

 where there is something to attract a more progressive class of 

 people. It has not yet shown itself so clearly in poorer regions, 

 where there is little to attract a superior type of men and women. 



En fact, it is an open question whether the poorest land is not 



