The farm in a democracy

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1922. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV SOME POPULAR FALLACIES AS TO URBAN-RURAL RELACTIONS "GOD .MADE THE COUNTRY; MAN MADE THE TOWN" - MOVEMENT PROM COUNTRY TO TOWN DUE TO SUPERFICIAL GLITTER - CITY BIRTH AND TRAINING UNFAVORABLE FOR SUCCESS - THE MOST OF THOSE LEAVING COUNTRY FOR CITY FAIL - SUPREME INDEPENDENCE OF FARMING CLASS AS AN ELEMENT IN MODFRN LIFE. To me, it seems to be a fact that rational discussion of the whole matter of urban-rural relations is made, very difficult, even among well educated people, because of the existence of certain popular fallacies concerning the relative advantages of the two types of life. All of these errors, as I see them, are various expressions of the one great untruth, "God made the country; man made the town." It seems quite generally to be thought that there is some great and enduring difference between the country and the town, ana that the former is much finer than the latter, and finer because man has had less to do with it. To me, is seems to be survival of the Rousseau doctrine that in nature we find perfection, while such imperfection as is to be found is due to social organization. The frequently quoted "Country Boy»s Creed," is one statement of this prevailing belief.1 .LnI believe that the country which God made is more beautiful than the city which man made; that life out-of-doors and in touch with the earth is the natural life of man. that work with nature is more inspiring than work with the most intricate machinery. that life is larger and freer and happier on the farm than in the town; -" Another statement of this same idea, I quote from a man who has written much in the field of rural life, (L. H. Bailey, The Holy Earth) "The earth is divine, because man did not make it." Later on in this same volume, is to be found the follo...