516 RURAL SOCIOLOGY 



of the problems which demand investigation. As far as pos- 

 sible the marketing problems are being studied from the points 

 of view of producer, dealer, and consumer. A large part of 

 the rural organization investigations has consisted of studies 

 of the work of rural credit associations. As this work is now 

 well under way, more time will be devoted to other phases 

 of rural organization work without, however, discontinuing any 

 of the rural credit investigations. 



Besides the phase of cooperation dealing with the marketing 

 of farm and food products, work has been instituted looking 

 toward that basic improvement of country life which must come 

 from the country itself, through the development of resident 

 leadership. This work recognizes that the true function of in- 

 creased prosperity in the farm home is the raising of the 

 standard of living and thinking upon the farm. While other 

 projects of the Office are designed to promote changes which 

 will make farming more profitable, the particular object of this 

 work is to make the country a more desirable place in which 

 to live. 



The Office is investigating cooperative organizations that are 

 endeavoring to improve conditions of education, health, recrea- 

 tion, and household economy in rural life. The work done thus 

 far reveals many needs in all of these directions, and, when 

 practicable, the Office attempts to supply information and sug- 

 gestions to such associations. 



Local demonstration work has been undertaken in Alabama 

 and in North Carolina in cooperation with State and local 

 agencies. 



THE PLACE OF GOVERNMENT IN AGRICULTURAL 

 COOPERATION AND RURAL ORGANIZATION l 



GOVERNMENT, whether local, State, or national, can render a 

 great service to agriculture and country life. Government can 

 do a great deal more than many people suppose, and it ought 

 to do a great deal less than many people expect. The follow- 



i Adapted from Report of the American Commission, Senate Document 

 Xo. 261, Part I, pj>. 20-27. 



