208 DEEP FURROWS 



loud bang so freely predicted these gentlemen were 

 beginning to look upon it as a safe investment. 



The success of the Grain Growers' Grain Company 

 was an argument for co-operation which could not be 

 overlooked and the co-operative spirit spread rapidly 

 among the farmers in many districts. 



It will be remembered that the promoters of the 

 grain company had intended originally to operate 

 under a Dominion charter but were compelled by cir- 

 cumstances to content themselves with provincial 

 powers. The farmers now were finding themselves too 

 restricted and application was made for a new charter 

 which would facilitate the transaction of business in 

 other provinces than Manitoba. Special powers were 

 asked for and by special Act of Parliament the charter 

 was granted in 1911 in the face of considerable opposi- 

 tion at Ottawa from those whom the farmers regarded 

 as representing the Canadian Manufacturers' Associa- 

 tion and the Retail Merchants' Association. 



For the trend of the organized farmers was quite 

 apparent. No secret had been made of the views 

 entertained by the Grain Growers regarding co-opera- 

 tion. To familiarize every member of the various 

 organizations with the history of co-operative achieve- 

 ments in other countries had been the object of many 

 articles in the Grain Growers' Guide and much 

 speech-making from time to time. The possibility of 

 purchasing farm supplies co-operatively in addition to 

 co-operative marketing of grain was being urged con- 

 vincingly. And during the long winter evenings when 

 the farmer shoved another stick into the stove it was 

 natural for him to ask himself questions while he stood 

 in front of it and let the paring from another Ontario 

 apple dangle into the ash-pan. 



