12.--What evidences have you seen of the "urbanizing" of rural life, and what do you think about it? 13.--Why do country boys and girls leave the farm and go to the city? 14.--What must be done to make country life worth while, so that a fair share of the boys and girls may be expected to stay there? 15.--How do you think a farmer ought to treat his boys? 16.--To what extent is the city dependent upon the country. 17.--Why do so many prosperous farmers rent their farms and give up country life? 18.--How does the village problem differ from the problem of the open country? 19.--Do you believe the open country will be permanently occupied by American homes, or must we develop a hamlet system, as in Europe and Asia? 20.--To what extent have you faith in the ultimate solution of the country problem? CHAPTER II COUNTRY LIFE OPTIMISM CHAPTER II COUNTRY LIFE OPTIMISM I. _Signs of a New Faith in Rural Life_ A tribute from the city. The Country Boy's Creed. City-bred students in agricultural colleges. Reasons for this city-to-country movement. II. _The Privilege of Living in the Country_ Some city life drawbacks. The attractiveness of country life. The partnership with nature. Rural sincerity and real neighborliness. The challenge of the difficult in rural life. III. _The Country Life Movement_ Its real significance. Its objective: a campaign for rural progress. Its early history: various plans for rural welfare. Its modern sponsors: the agricultural colleges. The Roosevelt Commission on Country Life. Its call for rural leadership. Its constructive program for rural betterment. IV. _Institutions and Agencies at Work_ Organized forces making for a better rural life. CHAPTER II COUNTRY LIFE OPTIMISM I. Signs of a New Faith in Rural Life. THE FARM: BEST HOME OF THE FAMILY: MAIN SOURCE OF NATIONAL WEALTH: FOUNDATION OF CIVILIZED SOCIETY: THE NATURAL PROVIDENCE This tribute to the fundamental value of rural life is a part of the classic inscription, cut in the marble over the massive entrances, on the new union railroad station at Washington, D. C. Its calm, clear faith is reassuring. It reminds us that there is unquestionably an abiding optimism in this matter of country life. It suggests, that in spite of rural depletion and decadence here and there, country life is so essential to our national welfare it will permanently maintain itself. So long as there is a city civilization to be fed and clothed, there must always be a rural civilization to produce the raw materials. The question is, will it be a _Christian_ civilization?