1891.] 



PUBLIC DOCUMENT— No. 4. 



XXV 



several kinds of property be the estimated market value. 

 It will be readily understood that the real estate belonging to 

 societies located in the rural districts of the Commonwealth 

 is not worth as much now, as a rule, as it cost when pur- 

 chased by the societies many years ago, while it may be 

 worth just as much, if not more, for society purposes. 

 In other sections the market value of the property of the 

 societies has greatly increased, while perhaps it is 

 worth no more than formerly for society purposes. 

 Heretofore these financial returns have not been made in a 

 uniform manner by the societies, and in some cases the value 

 returned has been, not the present market value, but the 

 total cost of the land, buildings, etc. It should be remem- 

 bered, therefore, that the tables presented this year show 

 more nearly than heretofore the exact financial condition of 

 the several societies. 



The following table is appended for comparison of the finan- 

 cial returns of the societies for the years 1860 and 1890 : — 



* Estimated market value. 



The following statement, of the amounts of money appro- 

 printed and used for the furtherance of the agricultural 

 interests of the Commonwealth through the medium of this 

 department, will no doubt be of interest : — 



