305. ISOLATION THE MENACE OF RURAL LIFE.—Isolation may be said to be the menace of rural life, as congestion is the menace of urban life. In many out-of-the-way rural districts isolation has resulted in moral inertia and intellectual dullness. Isolation has weighed particularly hard upon the farmer's wife. Often she is called upon, not only to rear a large family, but to cook and keep house for hired men, raise poultry and garden stuff, and even to help in the fields during the harvest season. In spite of this deadening routine, she has had fewer chances than the farmer to go to town, to meet people, or otherwise to secure a share of social life.
306. COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN THE COUNTRY.—In view of the injurious effects of rural isolation, it is encouraging to note the beginnings of a genuine community spirit in country districts. To a considerable extent this development is the result of improved means of transportation and communication. The coming of the automobile, the telephone, and the trolley, the development of the rural free delivery, the parcel post, and the agricultural press,—all these factors have been important. The farmer has been enabled to share more and more in the benefits of city life without leaving the farm. Even more important, perhaps, improved methods of transportation and communication have stimulated social intercourse among farmers. Co÷peration in church and school work has been encouraged. Clubs and community centers are more practicable where farmers make use of the automobile and the telephone. The fair and the festival are also proving to be admirable methods of developing the co÷perative spirit in rural life.
The growing realization among students of rural life that a strong and constructive community spirit is not only desirable but possible, is encouraging an interest in rural problems. The development of such a spirit must ultimately stimulate a healthy social life in the country, with a resultant increase in health and prosperity, not only for the farmer but for the nation as a whole.
QUESTIONS ON THE TEXT
1. What is the significance of rural life?
2. What is the nature of the rural problem?
3. Why is the rural problem of recent origin?
4. What is meant by the cityward drift?
5. To what extent is this drift desirable? To what extent is it undesirable?
6. What can be said as to the "back to the land" movement?