224 WHEAT AND WOMAN 



experience of the elevator men of South Qu'Appelle. 

 I determined to sell no more wheat at the local 

 elevator, though there are times when this is 

 practically unavoidable, but I always contend 

 that in justice to the farmer, who is the chief 

 corner-stone in the foundation of the prosperity 

 of the country, in every town marked by an ele- 

 vator, Government weights and an expert grader 

 appointed by the Government should stand sentinel 

 by its side. In his first hand-to-hand struggle 

 with the land the farmer of little or no capital has 

 often far less to weary and dishearten him than 

 when he arrives at the stage where his dealings 

 with banker and trader set in until he passes through 

 their difficult way to the place of prosperity where 

 he is no longer at the mercy of either. 



However, when the threshers departed I hadn't 

 any premonition that the wheat crop would yield 

 me just five hundred and thirty-three dollars 

 fifteen cents and the seed for 1907. I was in the 

 centre of granaries no longer empty, huge-straw 

 piles were here and there covering the stable-roof 

 and lending an appearance of prosperity, and con- 

 tributing vastly to the shelter and comfort of the 

 stock during the winter. The oat granary, too, was 

 replenished to the joy of Ricky, and about one 

 thousand five hundred of the worst of the wild- 

 oat sheaves were stored on the log-stable for pig- 

 feed during the winter. The pigs throve won- 

 derfully well on it, and it also provided excellent 

 litter. When the outfit had moved on I felt quite 

 at my ease. The boundary fence kept my stock 

 within bounds and the two cows, the two yearling 

 steers, and the calf were free to glean. I harrowed 



