 After 1774, York Factory became the main post because of its convenient access to the vast interior waterway systems of the Saskatchewan and Red rivers.Called "factories" (because the "factor," i.e., a person acting as a mercantile agent did business from there), these posts operated in the manner of the Dutch fur trading operations in New Netherlands.By adoption of the Standard of Trade in the 18th century, the HBC ensured consistent pricing throughout Rupert's Land.