Before the Red Cross entered the field of rural nursing several attempts were made to extend this work on a broad plan into the country districts. After the Peace Conference, held at Portsmouth, N. H., in 1905, the Russian and Japanese envoys made a gift of $20,000 to the State, to be used for charitable purposes. At this time several persons who realized that rural nursing was an important factor in the improvement of social conditions tried to have this sum used in establishing a state-wide system. It was not possible, however, to convince those in authority that this would be the best disposition of the gift. It was the aim of the Holman Association, incorporated in 1911, “for the promotion of rural nursing, hygiene and social service.” to expand as resources permitted to meet the needs of rural communities in the United States, but the society has recently been disbanded. There are but few instances where rural nursing has been extended by a single organization to cover any considerable area. A pioneer work was started seventeen years ago in North Westchester county, New York, where the District Nursing Association now employ six nurses and covers about twenty villages. Gradually new districts in the surrounding territory are being opened up by the association. There are, however, several individual nurses meeting the needs of rural communities, and often under trying conditions. In isolated regions they are cut off from helpful association with others doing similar work and the stimulus that comes from identification with an extensive organized effort. The Red Cross has planned a service of which these nurses may become a part, which will assist them to establish and maintain high standards. Rural nursing as it now exists is generally carried on under the supervision of a committee which may include several sub-committees. These are responsible for various branches of the nurses’ work. Wherever such committees are able to arouse a general interest much has been accomplished not only in behalf of public health, but in many lines of public welfare work. It is expected that in the development of Red Cross rural nursing, local committees will be created, meeting standards of salary and other regulations which are deemed necessary to insure the best interests of a community. The locality benefitted by the work of a nurse is expected to meet the expenses connected with it. Fees collected from patients are not sufficient for this, as all sick persons are not able to pay for the services of the nurse. As a rule, patients are expected to pay for professional visits, according to their means, but those unable to make any payments should not go uncared for. The responsibility for raising the necessary funds rests with the local committee, which also superintends the work of the nurse. A general supervision by the Red Cross is maintained through occasional visits of the superintendent of rural nurses and through monthly reports of their work.