CHAPTER XXXII 



THE RURAL COMMUNITY 



The better I am acquainted with agricultural affairs, the better I am 

 pleased with them; insomuch, that I can nowhere find so great satisfaction 

 as in those innocent and useful pursuits. -GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



ANYONE living in the country, whether he be gaining his live- 

 lihood from farming operations or from other sources, should have 

 a deep interest in the welfare of the community in which he lives. 

 Too often there are members of the community who allow matters 

 to take their own course and never show a community interest 

 in things that are vital to its welfare, as well as to their own. This 

 state of mind is more common among tenant farmers than among 

 owners of real estate. 



There are a number of special lines to which members of the 

 community should give their constant attention: (1) Educa- 

 tional facilities. (2) Social and religious advantages. (3) Good 

 roads and means of transportation. (4) Telephones for inter- 

 communication. (5) Mail service. (6) Cooperative projects. 

 (7) Good health and sanitary surroundings. (8) Civic improve- 

 ment. (9) Beautifying of the home. 



Good Rural Schools. We should strive to have a school run 

 as many months in the year as possible. The best teacher available 

 should be employed for the work. Several teachers are usually 

 better than one. 



Where several schools may be consolidated by selling old 

 buildings and erecting one large one with several rooms, this 

 will allow of the maintenance of a much better school. The school 

 can then be more completely graded, and more of the vocational 

 work be introduced. This may permit the introduction of agri- 

 culture, cooking, sewing and shop work. It may give some oppor- 

 tunity on the part of the teachers to take a lively interest in the 

 general welfare of the community, particularly as regards social 

 matters. Young people will then feel more contented with rural 

 life and not wish to leave the farm. 



In places where a new school is to be erected, provision should 

 be made, if possible, for living quarters for the teacher, or for 

 the principal, who should in that case be a married man. If a 

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