14 CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



produce-seller. But the moment we enter the 

 realm of the market we step outside the individu- 

 alistic aspect of the problem as embodied in the 

 current doctrine of technical agricultural teach- 

 ing, and are forced to consider the social aspect 

 as emphasized, first of all, in the economic 

 category of price. Here we find many factors 

 transportation cost, general market conditions 

 at home and abroad, the status of other indus- 

 tries, and even legislative activities. The farm 

 problem becomes an industrial question, not 

 solely one of technical and business skill. 

 Moreover, the problem is one of a successful 

 industry as a whole, not merely the personal 

 successes of even a respectable number of indi- 

 vidual farmers. The farming class must pro- 

 gress as a unit. 



But have we yet reached the heart of the 

 question ? Is the farm problem one of technique 

 plus business skill, plus these broad economic 

 considerations ? Is it not perfectly possible that 

 agriculture as an industry may remain in a fairly 

 satisfactory condition, and yet the farming class 

 fail to maintain its status in the general social 

 order ? Is it not, for instance, quite within the 

 bounds of probability to imagine a good degree 

 of economic strength in the agricultural industry 



