EDITORIAL NOTE.

The author introduces the January 1962 issue of "Sociologia Ruralis." This special issue contains the addresses given and the discussions which took place, at the Third Congress of the European Society for Rural Sociology in September 1962. In this way the author hopes to make known the results of this international exchange of experience, in the field of rural sociology and rural planning, to those members who were unable to attend the congress, as well as to the wider public which is interested in this subject. Some papers published in this issue have had to be shortened. All contributions to discussions were not committed to paper by the speakers. The order of the official programme has been followed in the following pages and modifications which were made during the Congress for expediency are ignored. The author tanks those who have contributed for the publication of this issue.