186 THE FARMER AND THE NEW DAY 



even the home. To discuss these important matters 

 thoroughly would require a book by itself; but a few 

 suggestions may be made that indicate the extreme im- 

 portance of the effort to inspire local institutions to 

 become community building rather than self-serving 

 agencies. 



The Rural Home and the Community. At first 

 thought, it may seem as if the home, the most im- 

 portant of our social institutions just because of its 

 private and sacred character, might not fit into the 

 community idea. But the home is the very fundamen- 

 tal of the community spirit. It is the basis for real 

 culture for both children and parents. It may train 

 its members into the cooperative idea and help them ac- 

 quire the habit of community service. It can cooper- 

 ate with school, church and playlife. The home maker 

 is not only the mistress of the home, but she partici- 

 pates vitally in community building. Her influence in 

 all community activities is pervasive and all important. 

 Shall the home look outward to the community or only 

 inward to its own limited interests? Shall the home 

 be counted upon to foster the community spirit and 

 practice community service? 



The School and the Rural Community. The school 

 in the United States has always been a community affair 

 in a certain sense since it is a public school. It is doubt- 

 ful, however, if in actual achievement it has measured 

 up to the community idea. The teaching in the school 

 tends to be individual rather than social. It is thought 

 of as fitting each particular child to make his way in 

 the world. A true ideal for the school is that it shall 

 be, as a school, a means of contributing to the highest 

 development and best welfare of the community in 

 which it is located. How can this be done? We 



