32 BULLETIN nil, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE, 



The first problem is to get the general facts that determine the 

 need of organization as clearly understood as possible. Until the 

 need of unified community action is recognized, the interest, is likely 

 to wander at any time to other phases of the subject, and even 

 the most incidental. Though many communities would find serious 

 difficulties in reaching an agreement to grow only one variety of 

 cotton, some communities are ready for the step, with the neces- 

 sary interest and leadership, to enter upon an active course of im- 

 provement. Hence, the plan needs to be brought to the attention 

 of those engaged in the investigation of general problems of pub- 

 lic welfare, in order that more of the public-spirited interest of ac- 

 tive communities be enlisted. On account of these considerations, 

 the improvement of the cotton industry ceases to be merely a botani- 

 cal or biological problem of discovering new varieties or maintain- 

 ing select strains and takes on a sociological aspect, to learn how 

 communities should be organized for more effective application of 

 the scientific factors of production. 



Leadership undoubtedly is necessary in cotton-community develop- 

 ment, as in other forms of social progress, and very patient con- 

 structive leaders are needed in cotton communities, at least in the 

 early stages of development, while the farmers are still only par- 

 tially aware of the needs and .possibilities of one- variety organiza- 

 tion. Communities in this stage of development may be affected 

 adversely by too much activity, or " drive," on the part of their 

 leaders if a sense of cooperative responsibility is not developed 

 and the local public does not become actively interested and well 

 informed regarding the objects or measures that the leaders may 

 urge. A passive, indifferent community is the more open to ground- 

 less suspicion of some private advantage being sought by those 

 who are urging improvements and is ready for obstructive or adverse 

 suggestions. It is to be expected that some elements in each com- 

 munity will consider it a virtue to oppose an}i:hing that is being 

 " put across." Hence, the interest of the community must be kept 

 so clearly to the front that it shall not be confused with personal 

 or incidental issues of other kinds. 



Not to enlist all of the local interest and constructive ability is 

 to forfeit in advance the hope of getting the best possible results 

 from a community undertaking. Even partial success may have 

 great practical value, but people will go farther if they can believe 

 that the very best is being done and that all of the available talent 

 is being applied to a full understanding of the problems. To know 

 that important practical problems are being worked out, that fun- 

 damental reforms are in progress, to which their own community 

 thought is contributing, stimulates interest and constructive effort, 



