It is doubtful whether rural social investigation has thus far attained the status of research. It has been on too narrow a base both geographically and in sustained pursuit of basic facts and trends. The passage of the Purnell law provide for sufficient research funds at the state agricultural experiment stations to make it possible and probable that hundreds of thousands of dollars will be spent in the next few years in rural social research. In addition, other public bureaus and endowed agencies are doing research in the field. During the year 1926 there were almost one hundred specific research projects being carried on in rural sociology in the United State. Many rural sociologists are poorly trained in the fundamentals of sociology and in research technique. Many agricultural experiment station directors do not yet see the significance of social investigation. Rural sociology is in competition for funds with so-called more practical projects. Rural sociologists must, therefore, stop following fads f...