COUNTRY LIFE CONVENIENCES 347 



In speaking of the desirability of postal savings banks Postmas- 

 ter-general Meyer says: '" Postal savings banks would foster thrift 

 and increase the habit of saving in many States and localities 

 where opportunities for depositing savings do not now exist, and 

 would in the end serve as feeders to the regular stock and mutual 

 savings banks, where greater returns would be received. Thus 

 they would be a real benefit not only to the people, but also to the 

 existing financial institutions. Practically all the leading nations, 

 with the exception of the United States, have postal savings 

 banks in successful operation. No one can justly say they are 

 not needed in the United States, with its vast sections unequipped 

 with facilities for the deposit of savings." 



Rural Telephones. The greatest boon of recent years to the 

 farmer and to the rural districts has been the rural telephone. No 

 longer is it necessary for the farmer to spend several days and 

 travel several miles to secure help that he may need when he is 

 ready to harvest or thrash his grain, since all these matters now 

 may be arranged in a few minutes by the use of the telephone. The 

 doctor can be called without the necessity of a long trip, and in 

 cases of serious accident many valuable lives may be saved that 

 otherwise would not be possible. The long distance telephone 

 enables the farmer to call up the supply house or factory and secure 

 small supplies or "repairs without loss of time. When the self- 

 binder or the thrasher breaks down, the -loss of a few days' time 

 may mean the loss of much valuable grain, especially when the 

 weather is unsettled. 



On many rural telephone lines the weather reports are sent out 

 at noon and market reports are sent out at six o'clock to all those 

 who care to receive them. 



Through the use of the rural lines farmers' wives no longer feel 

 the effect of isolation when they live long distances apart, since 

 they can now chat with each other over the telephone and learn 

 the latest items of news. It also enables them to arrange for social 

 gatherings. 



The Interurban Car. Thus far the steam railroads have offered 

 no special advantages to the farmers because the trains are not 

 frequent enough and generally they are too far away. But the 

 interurban trolley car has been found a very satisfactory and 



