The three elements of a rural existence--Mr. Roosevelt's formula: "Better farming, better business, better living"--A comparative analysis of urban and rural business methods shows that herein lies chief cause of rural backwardness--Reasons why farmers fail to adopt methods of combination--A description of the coöperative system in its application to agriculture--The introduction and development of agricultural coöperation in Ireland--The Raiffeisen Credit Association successful in poorest Irish districts--Summary of coöperative achievement by Irish farmers--British imitation of Irish agricultural organising methods--A criticism of American farmers' organisations--Lack of combination for business purposes the cause of political impotence--Urgent need for a reorganisation of American agriculture upon coöperative lines 83 CHAPTER VI THE WAY TO BETTER FARMING AND BETTER LIVING The retarded application of science to agriculture and neglect of agricultural education--Present progress in agricultural education--Full benefit of education must await coöperative organisation--Connection between coöperation and social progress--Mr. Roosevelt on the cause and cure of rural discontent--Two views upon the principles of rural betterment--The part coöperation is playing in Irish rural society--General observations on town and country pleasures--The social necessity for a redirection of rural education--The rural labour problem--The position of women in farm life--The reason why the remedy for rural backwardness must come from without--The paradox of the problem 117 CHAPTER VII THE TWO THINGS NEEDFUL Summary of diagnosis and indication of treatment--Chief aim the coördination of agencies available for social work in the country--Numerical strength and fine social spirit abroad, but leadership needed--Mutual interest of advocates of Conservation and of rural reform--The psychological difficulty due to predominance of urban idea--Roman history repeating itself in New York--The natural leaders of the Country Life movement to be found in the cities--The objects of the movement defined--Two new institutions to be created; the one executive and organising, the other academic--The National Conservation Association qualified to initiate and direct the movement--Possibly an American Agricultural Organisation Society should be founded for the work--The chief practical work the introduction of agricultural coöperation--Necessity for joining forces with existing philanthropic agencies--Suggested enlistment of country clergy in coöperative propagandism--The Country Life Institute, its purpose and functions--Reason why one body cannot undertake work assigned to the two new institutions--The financial requirements of the Institute--Summary and conclusions 145 THE RURAL LIFE PROBLEM CHAPTER I THE SUBJECT AND THE POINT OF VIEW