1910.] Small Holdings, etc. Credit Societies. 4S7 



it appears that in the aggregate 3,059 acres of land, having 

 an annual value of ,£4,635, had been acquired for the purpose 

 of small holdings by 13 societies; 797 acres as allotments, 

 of an annual value of ,£1,611, by 20 societies; while grazing 

 rights, &c, over 32 acres, valued at £66 per annum, were in 

 the possession of two societies at the close of the year. The 

 total number of tenants returned by the societies was 3,384. 

 The above particulars may be considered as giving merely an 

 approximation of the extent of the movement at the present 

 time, many of the societies at the date of their returns being 

 merely in an embryonic state of existence, and in process of 

 negotiation for the acquisition of the land necessary to carry 

 on their operations. In 89 societies the total paid-up share 

 capital amounted to ,£5,083, while 19, principally old-estab- 

 lished allotment societies in Northamptonshire, showed a 

 total balance of profit and reserve of ,£1,092. The small 

 holdings and allotments department of the above 123 societies 

 received in rents £'5,694, and in other income £1,141. 

 Rents, rates, and taxes paid amounted to £5,240, and 

 management expenses to £1,1 10. 



Ordinary Co-operative Societies. — During recent years an 

 important development has taken place in the " Housing " 

 movement by co-operative societies engaged in industries and 

 trades. "Building" departments have been established, and 

 members enabled to acquire their houses by means of ad- 

 vances granted by the society on mortgages. In 1906 the 

 amount so invested by societies in England and Wales 

 amounted in the aggregate to 4J millions sterling, while 2\ 

 millions sterling were then invested by societies in land and 

 buildings other than used in trade. No information is avail- 

 able as to the extent to which land has been acquired (if any) 

 for agricultural use by the members. Co-operative fruit 

 farms and ordinary farms in some cases form an adjunct to 

 a society's business. 



Agricultural Co-operative Societies. — These societies, also 

 registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, 

 are promoted in England and Wales principally by the 

 Agricultural Organisation Society, Ltd., for the purpose of 

 purchasing seeds, artificial manures, and other agricultural 

 requisites at wholesale rates for the advantage of the members. 



