DEPTH OF THE FURROWS 265 



Each year the annual conventions of the various 

 associations in Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta 

 grew in size and importance; each year the Grain 

 Growers' knowledge expanded, much of it gained by 

 marketing experience. From these "Farmers' Parlia- 

 ments" and the pages of the Grain Growers' Guide 

 they drew inspiration for many radical ideas and 

 threshed them out into well defined policies. By the 

 time Sir Wilfrid Laurier, then Premier of Canada, 

 ventured West in 1910 the farmers were pretty well 

 posted on national topics. Everywhere he went he 

 faced thousands of ruddy, big-fisted men who read 

 addresses to him and did a lot of extemporaneous 

 talking which was no less forceful and complete than 

 the prepared briefs. 



Six or eight hundred of them followed him back to 

 Ottawa in December of that same year and laid siege 

 to the Government on its own stamping-ground. It 

 was the most remarkable red-seal record of the Voice 

 from the Soil that hitherto had been known thereabouts. 

 In order that there might be no doubt as to the planks 

 on which they stood, the Grain Growers assembled a 

 platform in full view of the audience. 



"We want reciprocal Free Trade between Canada 

 and the United States in all horticultural, agricultural 

 and animal products," declared the farmers ; " also in 

 spraying materials and fertilizers; illuminating, fuel 

 and lubricating oils; cement, fish and lumber. 



"We want reciprocal Free Trade between the two 

 countries in all agricultural implements, machinery, 

 vehicles and parts of each of these. We want it carried 

 into effect through the independent action of the 

 respective Governments rather than by the hard and 

 fast requirements of a treaty. 



