THE U.F. CO-OPERATIVE CO. 73 



During the fall of 1914 it was difficult to keep up 

 courage and to keep the venture from collapsing. 

 The War had distracted everyone's attention. 

 Farmers were busy and did not give the new 

 movement much support. And meanwhile we 

 had undertaken to open up an office and carry 

 on. Personal sacrifice on the part of those 

 responsible was the only thing that tided us 

 over that period. I remember once, in October, 

 leaving my roots and going to Toronto for three 

 or four days to help out, while Messrs. Morrison 

 and Birkett were almost living on bread and 

 water. But we hung on, and gradually the tide 

 turned in our favor. The next winter, I devoted 

 my time to the extension of the Company's 

 activities and to propaganda work. Others 

 were similarly active. And when winter came 

 on farmers had more time to consider the matter 

 and we managed to keep our heads above 

 water." 



This was the period of seed sowing, when 

 progress was slow, and it was hard to keep up 

 courage. The business grew steadily if slowly, 

 however, while local organizations of farmers 

 in increasing numbers became shareholders. 

 There were as yet comparatively few individual 

 shareholders. 



During the fall of 1914, the following circular 



