THE RURAL PROBLEM 49 



conditions. So let us consider for a moment some of 

 these adjustments that the farmers must recognize. 



ADJUSTMENTS AMONG THE FARMERS THEMSELVES 



We must secure a sort of balance between the inter- 

 ests of the individual and the interests of the farmers as 

 a whole. This, of course, is a need everywhere in the 

 world. It is not by any means true that if each indi- 

 vidual is left to follow his own interests the interests of 

 all will be gained. This is simply the " law of the 

 jungle "; the strong win, the interests of the weak are 

 over-ridden. Perhaps the greatest obstacle to agricul- 

 tural business cooperation in America is the fact that 

 the most prosperous and efficient farmers in the com- 

 munity do not see the need of pooling their interests; 

 they are not willing to sacrifice a little for the sake of 

 those who would be greatly helped by common action. 



Balance between Sub-Industries. When a new op- 

 portunity in agriculture shows itself, it may become so 

 popular as to crowd out other forms of production 

 which are fully as essential. Fruit growing in the irri- 

 gated districts of the West not only encroached upon 

 fruit growing in the East, but hindered the development 

 of dairy and stock farming to which the irrigated areas 

 are peculiarly adapted. 



Balance between Sectional Interests. One of the 

 most serious of all rural questions is the competition of 

 regions. The apple growers of New England with 

 those of the Pacific Northwest; the vegetable growers 

 of Florida with those of Massachusetts; the sugar beet 

 growers and the sugar cane growers; the farmers who 

 grow cattle feed in the Middle West and the dairymen 

 of the East who have to buy these feeds. We find here 

 constant need of establishing fair relationships. 



