tunities for a life of distinguished service. The University of 

 Wisconsin some time ago conferred rewards of merit upon 

 several men who had distinguished themselves by service to 

 rural communities, upon one man for example who had im- 

 proved the grade of stock in a certain county. 



(4) The possibility of a larger amount of daily happiness 

 upon the farms through the development of better homes, bet- 

 ter schools, better churches, better means of communication. 



Problems of Organization. There are in the main three 

 purposes underlying all rural organizations, economic, educa- 

 tional and social. Economic organizations aim to improve in- 

 dustrial conditions on the farms; educational organizations 

 tend to improve the standards of life and thought; social or- 

 ganizations to creat more fellowship and to provide recreation 

 and amusement. 



Some Typical Organizations. Chief among the organiza- 

 tions found in rural communities are the Grange, the Society 

 of Equity, the Farmers' Union, Farmers' Clubs, Stockbreed- 

 ers' associations, Local Improvement Associations, Woman's 

 Clubs, Boys' and Girls' Clubs, Christian Associations, Farmers' 

 Institutes, School Patrons Clubs, Lecture Course societies, 

 and others. 



The Grange, which may be taken as an example, is one of 

 the most powerful of rural organizations. It was started in 

 1867 and now has more than a million members scattered 

 through thirty states. It aims to develop a higher and better 

 manhood and womanhood, to advance agriculture, to encour- 

 age agricultural education, and to inculcate a proper appre- 

 ciation of the abilities and sphere of woman, and to promote 

 the general welfare of rural communities. The unit of or- 

 ganization is the local grange, meeting once or twice a month 

 with programs looking to the advancement of country life. 

 The local Granges are united into a county grange, the county 

 granges into a state Grange, and the state Granges into a na- 

 tional Grange. The Grange is unique in the equality given 

 women in its membership, staff of officers, and business. 



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