This practice is almost universal, and if the term of the public school is short, it is usually extended by a contribution from the mill treasury.
During recent years much more has been done.

Partly from an awakening sense of social responsibility and partly from a realization that it is good business to do so, the bigger mills have made large expenditures to improve the condition of their operatives.

They have provided reading rooms and libraries, have opened many recreation rooms and playgrounds, and have furnished other facilities for entertainment.

Some of the mills have athletic fields, and a few support semi-professional baseball teams.

At some mills community buildings have been erected, which sometimes contain, in addition to public rooms, baths, and a swimming pool, an office for a visiting nurse and rooms which an adviser in domestic science may use for demonstration.