CHAPTER V

THE WEAK SPOT IN AMERICAN RURAL ECONOMY

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 cooperative system in its application to agriculture--The introduction and development of agricultural cooperation in Ireland--The Raiffeisen Credit Association successful in poorest Irish districts--Summary of cooperative 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 cooperative lines 83