212 DEEP FURROWS 



astic over the prospect of converting the elevator failure 

 into immediate financial success. 



It was too much to expect. At many points the 

 Government owned all the elevators in sight. In some 

 places there was too much elevator accommodation for 

 the district's volume of business. In certain cases the 

 elevators which had been sold to the Government were 

 practically discards to begin with. However, the need 

 for improvement in the service which the farmers were 

 getting at country points was so very great that finally, 

 in 1912, the farmers assumed control of the government 

 system in Manitoba. 



It was late in August when this came about. With 

 only three or four weeks in which to prepare for the 

 season's crop, make repairs, secure competent mana- 

 gers, travelling superintendents and office staff the 

 results of the first season scarcely could offer a fair 

 test. Even so, prices for street grain went up at com- 

 peting points. Line elevator companies began asking 

 the farmer for his grain instead of merely permitting 

 him to place it in their elevators. 



The farmers were quick to note this and asked that 

 the elevator service be continued by their company. 

 With better organization the following season brought 

 still greater improvement in service. Prices rose. The 

 special binning service from their own elevators the 

 farmers found genuine, not just a last-minute privilege 

 granted to secure their grain. In spite of bad crop 

 conditions in 1914-15, the elevators continued to succeed 

 under the farmers' own management and, the year 

 following, letters of highest praise from farmers 

 everywhere marked the complete success of the under- 

 taking. So excellent was the service now being 

 rendered by the Company that independent Farmers' 



