The author has attempted to define the rural community and to describe the new conditions which are determining its structure and shaping its functions, in the belief that an understanding of the nature of the rural community should aid those who are seeking to secure a better social adjustment of the countryside. It attempts to relate "The Farmer and His Community." The problems and methods of community organization have been discussed but incidentally, and the book is not designed as a handbook for community development. Its chief aim is to establish a point of view with regard to the rural community as an essential unit for rural social organization through a sociological analysis of the past history and present tendencies of the various forms of associations which seem necessary for a satisfying rural society. It is hoped that such an analysis presented in an untechnical manner may be of service to rural leaders who are working for the development of country life by giving them a better understanding of the nature of the community and therefore a firmer faith in its future and greater enthusiasm and loyalty in its service. The present volume is a brief summary of a more extended study of the rural community, not only in this country but in other lands and in other times, which is now in preparation for publication. DWIGHT SANDERSON. CORNELL UNIVERSITY. _May, 1922._ CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE I. THE RURAL COMMUNITY 3 II. THE FARM HOME AND THE COMMUNITY 14 III. THE COMMUNITY'S PEOPLE AND HISTORY 29 IV. COMMUNICATION THE MEANS OF COMMUNITY LIFE 37 V. THE FARM AND THE VILLAGE 46 VI. COMMUNITY ASPECTS OF THE FARM BUSINESS 58 VII. HOW MARKETS AFFECT RURAL COMMUNITIES 67 VIII. HOW COOPERATION STRENGTHENS THE COMMUNITY 77 IX. THE COMMUNITY'S EDUCATION 91 X. THE COMMUNITY'S EDUCATION, CONTINUED; THE EXTENSION MOVEMENT 107 XI. THE COMMUNITY'S RELIGIOUS LIFE 121 XII. THE COMMUNITY'S HEALTH 137 XIII. THE COMMUNITY'S PLAY AND RECREATION 153 XIV. ORGANIZATIONS OF THE RURAL COMMUNITY 169 XV. THE COMMUNITY'S DEPENDENT 181 XVI. THE COMMUNITY'S GOVERNMENT 196 XVII. COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION 209 XVIII. COMMUNITY PLANNING 222 XIX. COMMUNITY LOYALTY 234 APPENDIX A 247 THE FARMER AND HIS COMMUNITY