tand how it is, that Solaris can produce such quantities of
marketable goods, that can so easily be turned into cash. I have yet a
number of important questions remaining unanswered, but they do not
pertain to growing crops."

CHAPTER XXXII.

SOCIAL SOLUTIONS.

"I now wish," said Fern, "to consider the social and domestic interests
of the colony. How do you manage to keep up the necessary degree of
cleanliness, demanded by perfect sanitation in the living rooms of the
co-operators, without seriously disturbing the privacy of the family."

"That is a delicate matter, which by choice of the co-operators
themselves, easily adjusts itself to the requirements of the committee
members, who are chosen to take charge of the tri-weekly scrubbing and
sweeping. The detail for this work for each week, is made by the
assignment committee.

"They select from a class of workers, known as both skillful and
trustworthy. All rooms which the occupants desire to have cleaned, are
left open. All rooms that are found locked, are reported to the chairman
of the committee, whose duty it is to inspect them at a later period,
while the occupants are present. It is a matter which is well understood
by the members of the company, that rooms not accessible to the regular
cleaning force, must be kept sweet and tidy by the occupants themselves,
during hours which might be otherwise devoted to rest, amusement or
study.

"Under the pressure of such conditions, even the most exclusive, soon
voluntarily open all their rooms to the authorized force. Causes for
complaint against any member of the sanitary, inspection or assignment
committee, are corrected by the voters at monthly elections, held for
the purpose of selecting new committees. This system so appeals to that
innate sense of justice and harmony reigning in the hearts of our
people, that after a few months of experience, they are ready to
co-operate heartily in any sort of discipline which may be necessary to
secure the welfare of the entire colony.

"The peculiar charm of colony-life appeals to them so strongly, that to
be voted out of the organization on account of violation of rules, or of
any improper conduct, is universally considered as a most dreadful
calamity. The possibility of such a fate, like some hidden spectre, acts
as a restraining influence, which holds in check the most lawless,
stubborn, or self-opinionated. It soon makes them zealous, peace-loving
and obedient.