- 28 - 



The town, consisting of a population of 2500 up to 20,000. 



The small city, consisting of a population of 20,000 up to 

 100,000. 



The large city, consisting of a population of 100,000 and 

 above. 



Now, it is believed that there must be in China at least 

 100,000 farm villages and approximately one million hamlets. 



In Szechwan the farmers do not live so much in hamlets 

 and villages but they live so close together that they form 

 virtual communities. Recent statistics indicate that out of the 

 Chinese total population 6%, or say 25,000,000, live in cities 

 having a population of 50,000 or over; that about 6% more live 

 in towns and cities having a population of 10,000 to 50,000. It 

 is doubtful if over 12% more live in towns having a population 

 of 2500 to 10,000; if so, this would leave 75% of the total 

 population of over 300,000,000 living in farm villages and farm 

 hamlets. 



2. The Village in Chinese Civilization. One is impressed 

 with the Chinese village as a characteristic feature of Chinese 

 civilization. Family life seems to be rooted in the village. The 

 village is thoroughly democratic, largely self-contained, settles 

 its own difficulties and is, in all respects, a remarkable institu- 

 tion. The economic and social development of China depends 

 largely upon the economic and social development of the village. 

 Doubtless the leadership for great movements will come from 

 the city, but, ultimately the village must be reckoned with in 

 an advancing China. 



3. The Community idea in rural affairs. The community 

 idea simply is this: That all the interested members of a local 

 group of people shall work on a common program for the 

 common good of all. This idea has been applied to Europe for 

 many years; the great co-operative movements among farmers 

 of the western European countries, and indeed of Russia, are 

 based upon this community idea. The idea is rapidly spreading 

 in the United States where, more and more, the local groups of 

 farmers are working together for common ends. Now, the 

 Chinese village is a natural community. The people know one 

 another, have common problems, common difficulties, work 

 under similar conditions. Apparently the community idea in 

 order to vitalize the Chinese village simply needs a program 



