Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/126

 112 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

history. — Under this head are described the chief facts concerning the population of the community in the past, noting carefully deaths, marriages, births (legitimate and illegitimate), together with the force and direction of the currents of migration. Wherever feasible, an attempt should be made to state the causes of variations in these phenomena. (3) Economic history. — This should include, for the period covered, an account of the changes in the distribution of wealth, in the methods of developing and e.xploiting natural resources, and a record of the price fluctuations of the principal commodities produced by the community. (4) Social history. — This chapter affords a brief summary of the transformations wrought in the conditions of rural life and in the people's customs, habits, and standards of living.

Following the historical introduction, which will be more or less exhaustive according to the personal inclinations of the student and the quantity of material at his command, comes the monograph itself

— a detailed account of the actual present condition of the community. Here will be met for the second time the majority of the problems first encountered in the preliminary survey ; but instead of passing them before the mind in rapid review, and with a minimum of attention, they are now made the objects of minute and prolonged investigation based upon the student's personal observation of men and things as they exist in the community in question.

After having surveyed the past in the introduction, and taken an inventory of the present in the body of the monograph, the author may, if he desires, add a sort of epilogue to his work in the shape of a last chapter, in which he can set forth the general conclusions to which he has come as a result of his studies, present his suggestions as to the proper remedies for the evils he may have discovered, and prescribe the reforms which in his judgment would conduce to the peace and prosperity of the community. He may even go farther, if he feels so inclined, and hazard whatever prophecy concerning the future may seem to him warranted by the circumstances of the case.

The Schedule: Historical introduction. — i. General history of the coynnmnity. — 2. Demographic history. — ^ Births : legitimate, illegitimate. Marriages. — Deaths. — Movement of population. — Emigration, immigration. — Distribution by occupation. — 3. Economic history. — Division of property.

— Methods of cultivation. — Particular usages. — Crops cultivated. — Distribu- tion of crops. — Cleared lands. — Price of land. — Rents. — Price of commodi- ties. — Difficulties besetting agricultural production.^ — Markets. — Mode of marketing products. — Agricultural associations. — 4. Social history. —