The Newtown bee., 1908-02-14

those who remain. In some sections an undesirable class of foreigners. some grossly immoral, are drifting in and thus the reluctance of the older set- tiers to remain is increased.
 In some regions the environment is not the healthiest imaginable for rais- | ing children. There are many places in the country where it is dangerous to bring up boys, for they are exposed to gross vices and the tendency is distinct Ily downward. Many country schools instead of being taught by men, as of old, or by vigorous women, are, as one of our teachers put it, lat the mercy of uneducated young girls who have never been through the ninth grade" l" Under such circumstances schooling degenerates into a farce. For other reasons, too, many of these school are worthless.
 From such conditions, the country boy who goes to the city is not likely to be as efficient as formerly.
 Dr Strong, writing on this subject, says: "We must expect the steady de- terioration for rural population unless effective preventive measures are de- vised. And if no new preventive measures are devised, l see no reason why isolation, irreligion, ignorance, vice and degeneration should not in- crease in the country until we have a rural American peasantry, illiterate and immoral, possessing the rights of cit izenship, but utterly incapable of per forming or comprehending its duties" '"
 In this situation it is important that everything be done to infuse new life and new enthusiasm into the country districts. Home, church, and school should unite intelligently to produce conditions which will make for content ment. Social forces in the country are centrifugal and expulsive; their di- rection is from the center outward and away; they must be more centripetal and attractive. The dominating ques- tion should be not how can 1 get away, but how can make condit ions such that I shall be glad to stay.
 As an aid to improving conditions, the telephone, the trolley and the rural free delivery are operating favorably. The church and school are beginning to feel a new life. Economic conditions are also improving, and farm land and crops are more valuable than ever be fore. Perhaps the more comfortable and prosperous class in the country to- day are the farmers. They are organ
 
 izing everywhere, the most noted or ganization being the Grange, with more than a million members. A rural liter ature is rapidly developing, teeming with excellent books and magnifcentls edited periodicals. Most astonishing are the varied agencies which have begun to operate for social uplift. The future is full of hope.
 Of course, this new life has not reached all, nor even the many. And even in the favored communities it has scarcely extended down to the child ren to improve their schools and give them opportunities which twentieth century children must have. Child life in the country IS often dull and hopeless. Nearly everything con- spires to drive them cityward. What can be. done to make their environ ment so attractive that it will hold them?
 With tactful persistence and with organized action considerable may be accomplished. Initiative will usually have to come from the outside. Left to themselves, only a comparatively few country districts will attempt to do anything. As we have seen. the school is entirely helpless, and in many sections the church is dead, yet un- buried, or the buildings remain. An all important question, then, is, what influences can be brought to bear on the situation? How can country boys and girls be kept in perfect content ment at home? The more that can be kept here, the better for the country. A good farm is still the best possible place to bring up children.
 Examples of notable efforts are not wanting. In Ulster county confer- ences for the discussion of moral prob- lems have been held in which teachers, Grangers and other interested adults have co-operated. Better schools, richer courses of study, playgrounds and athletics have been urged. Great field days and festivals have been held, all tending to develop community spir- it and interest in country life. All this is valuable, but it will be incomplete l ax,l ,,s.loaz l.l zo..