24 CHAPTERS IN RURAL PROGRESS 



tion of farmers becomes a movement of pre- 

 eminent importance. 



Organization, moreover, is a powerful edu- 

 cational force. It arouses discussion of funda- 

 mental questions, diffuses knowledge, gives 

 practice in public affairs, trains individuals in 

 executive work, and, in fine, stimulates, as 

 nothing else can, a class which is in special need 

 of social incentive. 



Organization is, however, difficult of accom- 

 plishment. While it would take us too far afield 

 to discuss the history of farmers' organizations 

 in America, we may briefly suggest some of the 

 difficulties involved. For forty years the question 

 has been a prominent one among the farmers, 

 and these years have seen the rise and decline 

 of several large associations. There have been 

 apparently two great factors contributing to the 

 downfall of these organizations. The first was 

 a misapprehension, on the part of the farmers, 

 of the feasibility of organizing themselves as a 

 political phalanx; the second, a sentimental 

 belief in the possibilities of business co-operation 

 among farmers, more especially in lines outside 

 their vocation. There is no place for class 

 politics in America. There are some things 

 legislation cannot cure. There are serious 



