FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VI. 557 



trade and commerce. The establishment of a large number of farm ers* 

 co-operative elevator companies is the outcome of the farmer taking hold 

 of things and meeting conditions forced upon him by trusts and corpora- 

 tions. 



Wherever farmers' elevators are well managed they have proved cf 

 incalculable benefit in securing profits that otherwise would go into the 

 pockets of the middlemen. A large number of these elevator companies 

 have been established in the west during the last few years. Illinois at 

 present, has over one hundred and seventy farmers' elevators, while 

 Nebraska has even more than that. Iowa has a good list of successful farm 

 elevators that are gradually being added to each year. The movement has 

 made strong headway in parts of South Dakota, Kansas and Oklahoma; in 

 fact a healthy growth is seen in all sections where farmers' elevators are 

 established on a business basis and conducted along such lines. A few 

 months ago, rebates were paid to line companies which worked hardships 

 with the farmers' companies, but this rebate has been done away with. An 

 attempt on the part of grain dealers to boycott firms handling grain shipped 

 to them from farmers' elevators has been intimated. If this is being done, 

 it is sure to lose its force, and will, we believe, redound to the benefit of the 

 farmers' elevators. 



The idea of farmers co-operating is one that should appeal to all sections 

 of the country . That the plan is feasible should not be questioned. In 

 other lines of farm work, such as fruit growing, success has attended the 

 various shipping associations organized among fruit growers in many parts 

 of the United States. 



In Europe, for a number of years, co-operative societies for handling all 

 kinds of farm products have been in existence. A few years ago, when we 

 visited Europe, we were pleased to note a large number of co-operative 

 associations in Holland, France and even in England tkat had a large mem- 

 bership and were doing a most successful business. 



There is no question but that co-operation is a growing power among 

 American farmers, and we doubt not but that in a few years there will be 

 scarcely a section of the farming country that will not be favored with co- 

 operative societies or companies that will be handling the products of the 

 farm. The hope of the American farmer, under present conditions of trade 

 lies in the united action and honest co-operation. 



