320 PRINCIPLES OF FARM PRACTICE 



comes to him in fragments, often from a faction that presents 

 but half the truth; collectively, or in a group for discussion, 

 each one may hear all sides all the facts. Country people 

 need occasions for getting together where affairs of common 

 interest may be discussed and acted upon. 



To be effective this cooperative interest must take into 

 consideration first, things as they are; second, as they 

 should be; third, how they might be changed for the better. 



Though many undesirable conditions in a rural community 

 may be recognized generally, they are often accepted as a 

 matter of course. Nearly every one may know, for ex- 

 ample, that some roads are very good and that some are very 

 poor; that the school is lacking in many things actually 

 needed ; that the influence of the church is less than it should 

 be; that the opportunities for social life are meager; that means 

 for recreation are wanting. If a survey of the conditions in 

 any community or neighborhood shows defects, two courses 

 are open to let conditions remain as they are, or to take 

 steps to improve them. But if improvements are to be 

 made there must be some ideal as to what they should be 

 and how they will enrich the lives affected by them. Here 

 the experience of other communities that have solved similar 

 problems may be drawn upon. Finally, there must be coop- 

 erative effort, following a definite program agreed upon by 

 all concerned, to bring about the change. The value of such 

 an improvement, however important it may be in itself, 

 is not less than the benefit that comes to the people of the 

 community who meet together to discuss their common 

 problems and work together to solve them. They will come 

 to know one another better, to have more regard for one 

 another, and will gain the valuable experience necessary for 

 the success of other cooperative enterprises. 



