SURVEYS 119 



tablishment of handicrafts and local industries, 

 the general economic and social status of the 

 people and the character of the people themselves, 

 natural attractions and disadvantages, historical 

 data, and a collation of community experience. 

 This would result in the collection of local fact, 

 on which we could proceed to build a scientifi- 

 cally and economically sound country life. 



Beginnings have been made in several states 

 in the collection of these geographical facts, 

 mostly in connection with the land-grant col- 

 leges. The United States Department of Agri- 

 culture is beginning by means of soil surveys, 

 study of farm management and other investi- 

 gations; and its demonstration work in the South- 

 ern states is in part of this character. These 

 agencies are beginning the study of conditions in 

 the localities themselves. It is a kind of exten- 

 sion work. All these agencies are doing good 

 work; but we have not yet as a people come to an 

 appreciation of the fact that we must take ac- 

 count of stock in detail as well as in the large. 

 We are working mostly around the edges of the 

 problem, and feeling of it. The larger part of 

 the responsibility of this work must lie with the 



