Now, to speak of financial matters, there is a third factor, which came very opportunely to consolidate the results of the wonderful expansion we have spoken of——the law of monetary conversion. While it was laying the foundations of the future conversion of the fiduciary circulation, this law created a reserve fund to make it presently practicable, and so gave stability to the instrument of exchanges; suppressing the gold premium, so prejudicial to business, and supporting the prosperity of the country by a fixed and common-sense currency; a support which the country needed in order that it might develop without checks and shocks, but one it had hitherto lacked. No measure has contributed more than this to the relief and improvement of Argentine credit, and to the increased value of the public funds, which will before long result in the work of financial reorganisation. The results of this happy conjunction of political, economic, and financial facts were not long to seek; for in less than five years the Argentine passed from a state of chronic crisis to the fullest prosperity known since her existence as a nation. But to preserve all the benefits of the progress accomplished the young Republic has still one task to fulfil: to fortify domestic peace, to perfect her political system, and to improve her principles of administration; conditions indispensable to the assured and normal development of the country and its future greatness. _The Total Value of the Agricultural and Pastoral Farms and Estates of the Argentine Republic_[118] _(According to the Agricultural Census of May 1908)._ [Footnote 118: The details are in round figures, the totals official.]