142 



DEEP FURROWS 



V 



would be easy under such a system for an impression 

 to get abroad that favoritism was being shown in 

 appointments; jealousies and disappointments might 

 be the result. On the other hand, one of the greatest 

 sources of strength which the Company could foster 

 would be a sense of individual responsibility among its 

 farmer shareholders each shareholder an agent for his 

 own grain and that of his non-member neighbors, each 

 doing his part to keep down the handling cost of his 

 grain and build up his own company. In the meantime it 

 were better to lose some grain than run the risk of 

 disrupting the whole movement to let the elevators 

 enjoy their advantage until it became a nullity by 

 education of the farmer himself. 



Such educational work was already a regular part of 

 the routine. Pamphlets and circulars were issued from 

 time to time, dealing with prevailing conditions, 

 advocating amendments to the Grain Act, etc., and 

 explaining the need for government ownership of 

 elevators. The feeling that the Provincial governments 

 should acquire and operate all storage facilities in the 

 way of elevators and warehouses was spreading rapidly 

 among farmers and business men. 



In the second year the Grain Growers' Grain Com- 

 pany began to export several small shipments, more 

 for the sake of the experience than anything else. A 

 very extensive line of credit was necessary to go into 

 the export business and, until the arrangement with the 

 Home Bank developed this, their hands were tied in the 

 matter of exporting for themselves. Their third year in 

 business, though, found their financial relations so 

 improved that they were able to do a considerable and 

 profitable business in the exporting of grain, thereby 

 advancing definitely towards one objective which the 



