taught in the schools with the practical affairs of life, arousing 

 the children's interest and enthusiasm. 



Other Important Agencies for Advancement 



Libraries. The libraries in the school houses and those 

 sent out by the public libraries located in the state are helpful 

 agencies for good. 



Telephones. The telephone is not only a social but also 

 an economic convenience. Economically it often saves the time 

 of the farmer in ordering and in communicating with his 

 neighbors and friends. Socially it is widening the vision of 

 the people who live in the country. It makes them belong to 

 a larger group and thus gives broader ideals. 



Rural Delivery. The rural delivery is now an accepted 

 feature of country life. By means of the daily mail service 

 the farmer and his family are kept in touch with the news of 

 the world. It has a great economic value too as the farmer is 

 enabled by means of the daily paper to keep in touch with 

 market quotations. There is still a dearth of magazines and 

 books devoted to the interests of rural people. The agricul- 

 tural press has a larger field of usefulness before it. 



Roads. One of the most serious drawbacks of country 

 life is the condition of the roads. Bad roads are responsible 

 for much of the isolation of country life. The school in the 

 country has lagged behind because better schools, especially 

 the consolidated schools, depend upon good roads. A few les- 

 sons in regard to roads should be taught in every country 

 school. (1) The lesson that we do not live for ourselves alone 

 nor for the immediate present but that we have duties towards 

 others and responsibilities to the future and that chief among 

 the duties which confront us in the country is that of provid- 

 ing better roads. (2) Children should be trained to see that a 

 tax for a road is an investment by the community for the good 

 of all. (3) It should be shown that good roads increase the 

 value of farm property. (4) The relation between good roads, 

 good schools, churches, and general community progress 

 should be clearly pointed out. (5) Studies should be made of 



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