Elements of rural sociology

This text originally was written not only for students with a country background but also for those bred in urban areas who in increasing numbers are finding some acquaintance with rural so desirable. That twofold purpose is adhered to in this edi tion.

Recent years have brought many changes in the rural commu nity. Revolutionary forces have been playing upon it. In various ways its institutions and behavior patterns have undergone altera tion and readjustment. This fact must be taken into account in any analysis of its life. I have therefore revised, reorganized, and largely rewritten the work, making use of new points of view, new graphic material, and the latest available data. The emphasis, as hitherto, is upon the development of community life, in the belief that the essential sociological problems of rural society and their solution revolve about it.

The book has taken its present form in response to numerous suggestions from many teachers who have kindly given me the benefit of their experience in using the earlier editions. Apart from a general rearrangement of chapters, the addition of a new one and a recasting of subject matter, new bibliographies bring the literature down to date, and topics for discussion have been added.
Grateful acknowledgment is here made to the many authors from whose works I have freely excerpted material. Special thanks is offered all who gave helpful hints for revising.