10 FOREWORD 



The writer has endeavored merely to gather an 

 authentic record of the earlier activities of the Grain 

 Growers' Associations in the three Prairie Provinces 

 why and how they came to be organized, with what thf 

 farmers had to contend and something of their remark- 

 able achievements in co-operative marketing during the 

 past decade. It is ajtale v of strife, limned by high lights 

 and some shadows. It is a record worthy of preserva- 

 tion and one which otherwise would pass in some of its 

 details with the fading memories of the pathfinders. 



If from these pages the reader is able to glean some- 

 thing of interest, something to broaden be it ever so 

 slightly his understanding of the Western Canadian 

 farmers' past viewpoint and present outlook, the under- 

 taking will have found its justification and the long 

 journeys and many interviews their reward. 



For, under the alchemy of the Great War, many 

 things are changing and in the wonderful days of 

 reconstruction that lie ahead the Farmer is destinedjto 



ik^^ our 



country. Because of this it behooves the humblest 

 citizen of us to seek better understanding, to meet half 

 way the hand of fellowship which he extends for a new 

 conception of national life. 



The writer is grateful to those farmers, grain men, 

 government officials and others who have assisted him 

 so kindly in gathering and verifying his material. 

 Indebtedness is acknowledged also to sundry Dominion 

 Government records, to the researches of Herbert N. 

 Casson and to the press and various Provincial Depart 

 ments of Agriculture for the use of their files. 



H.M. 



WINNIPEG, March 1st, 1918. 



