THE DEMONSTRATION WORK 



towns have been robbing country districts of their popula- 

 tion. Farmers have always been generous in buying stock 

 in business, manufacturing and industrial institutions in 

 nearby towns and cities. They have spent their money in 

 this way because they were public-spirited. In many cases 

 they had very little prospect or assurance of dividends. 

 When the factory, bank, or mill went to smash they charged 

 it up as profit and loss, but they still felt that they had made 

 a contribution to the general welfare by erecting such a 

 building and establishing such an institution. They did not 

 realize that the community and the nation would have been 

 better off if they had, spent some money in improving, 

 equipping and beautifying their own farms and homes. 

 When the opportunity came along for the city and town 

 man to exercise reciprocity and return the favor in the 

 support of this work for the farmer and his family, he did 

 not hesitate to do so. The bankers, merchants, manufac- 

 turers and business men generally have given constant and 

 increasing support and aid. This has been true in raising 

 money for salaries of agents, for establishing offices and rest 

 rooms, buying automobiles, paying traveling expenses and 

 putting up money for all sorts of prize trips, scholarships and 

 other valuable contributions for the club work for boys and 

 girls. 



Another interesting phase of support has been mani- 

 fested by the farmers themselves. Their organizations gave 

 hearty endorsements in the early days. It has come about 

 more recently that such organizations, which have member- 

 ship fees and ample freasuries are beginning to make liberal 

 appropriations themselves for salaries and travel for these 

 peripatetic workers. With all of these various kinds of 

 backing from the different divisions of the body politic, it was 



[i8o] 



