32 BULLETIN 1111, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
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 A T ery 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 anything 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, 
