XLV. COUNTRY LIFE CONVENIENCES 



A GREAT deal of attention has been given to the study of country 

 life and its problems. Much thought has been given to the ways 

 and means of improving country life and making it more attractive ; 

 and while much has been learned through the investigations and 

 the report of the National Commission on Country Life appointed 

 by President Roosevelt, only a beginning has been made, and the 

 greater part of the work still lies before us. 



The absence of the necessary farm and home conveniences, 

 the strenuous life continually demanded, the general lack of proper 

 ideals, and the pioneer conditions existing in many communities 

 are responsible in a measure for the general disposition of our 

 young people to migrate from the farm to the towns and large 

 centers of population, where there are greater opportunities for 

 enjoyment and improvement. 



In attempting to overcome this evil and to better country life 

 and its social conditions our energies should be directed to the 

 establishment of: (1) better homes with modern conveniences; 

 (2) consolidated rural schools; (3) community improvement clubs; 

 (4) rural mail routes; (5) parcels post; (6) postal savings banks; 

 (7) rural telephones; (8) interurban car lines; (9) United States 

 Weather Service; (10) local and county institutes. 



Better Homes. The drudgery of housekeeping will be consider- 

 ably lightened if the kitchen is supplied with a good cooking range 

 and running water. The rinse water from the kitchen sink should 

 be conducted through a long drainpipe so that it will be emptied 

 at some distance from the house. Every precaution should be 

 taken to prevent the water in the well or the cistern from being 

 contaminated by drainage from surface water and other sources 

 of impurities. All rain water before being used should be passed 

 through a good charcoal filter. As an additional precaution it 

 will be found advisable to have a porous brick partition or wall 

 extending through the center of the cistern and arranged so that 

 the water will filter through it before being used. 



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