The Sun.
London, England, 1846-04-14 00:00:00

WATFORD FARMERS' CLUB.
DISCUSSION ON TENANT RIGHTS.
On Tuesday, the Watford Farmers' Club held its half-
yearly meeting, when the question of "tenant rights"
was introduced for discussion by Robert Clutterbuck,
Esq. There was a good attendance.
Mr. CLUTTERBUCK, in introducing the subject of
" tenant rights," made the following reinarks:—lt is
quite undeniable that the establishment of farmers' clubs,
has not only called forth during the last few years a very
considerable amount of local and general information,
bat has enabled the individual members to impart to their
brother agriculturists the result of that experience, which
is the basis of all improvements;—they have effected,
perhaps, even more positive good, by offering to landlord
and tenant that neutral ground so long wanted, on which
both parties have a fair opportunity, in the spirit of ami-
cable discussion of drawing attention to points of prac-
tice, which they may have found either to be prejudicial
to, or as likely to advance those mutual interests which
ought to be inseparable. Investigations carried on in this
spirit cannot fail, whilst they elicit much valuable mat-
ter, to encourage the growth of kdielly feelings, and mast
have a natural tendency to draw more closely together
those in whose union lies their real strength. All will
admit that in these times the farmer can only hope to
obtain a living profit from his occupation, in proportion
to the amout of capital he has invested; to the energy
and intelligence he employs in carrying out such a system
of husbandry and rotation of crops as are best adapted
to the peculiarities of the soil he cultivates. Increased
production and economy of management must, in future,
be his sheet anchor. The well-being of individuals, and
the general interests of the community at large, demand
equally, that when the period or mode of occupation can
be shown to deter the tenant from adopting au improved
mode of husbandry, such relaxation or change should
be made without delay, as might promote those mutual
advantages, which, as between landlord and tenant, I
have before stated to be identical, and can only be per-
manently advanced by their cordial co-operation. The.
result of experiments prove, day by day, that we have
yet further to develope the productive powers of the soil;
but in no point of view are they of more importance than
as involving the solution of the problem whether agri-
culture, as yet in its infancy, may not, by affording In-
creased means of support to the labouring classes, absorb
in its onward progress a large portion of what has
been so long called our surplus population. While
the manufacturer, by the aid of machinery, can in-
crease, as the tide of prosperity serves, his power of pro-
duction, and during periods of depression may contract
at will his sphere of operations—the routine of hus-
bandry. comparatively monotonous in ita details, admits
of no such interruptions. Every step in advance entails
the necessity of employing a greater amount of manual
labour, which must in itself be of better quality, and
would therefore be fairly entitled to more liberal re-
muneration. The management of valuable stock and
implements imparts to labourers a feeling that they form
part of a well-organised economy, and they are thus
raised in the social scale. Who then is to fix limits f 0
that spirit of inquiry now so generally lighted up
thrsugh the length and breadth of the land, as to the
means of substantial comforts and contentment, or of
physical, and, consequently, moral improvements, we
may thus be the mettles of providing for this portion of
our fellow-countrymen ? The philanthropist may
devise plans, whether of colonization, emigration, or
the allotment of land, calculated—in his opinion—
to afford temporary rt lief ; but employment is
the legitimate, the most natural source of en-
couragement to those whose capital consists in the
labour of their hands. It is in this most essential,
most vital point of view, that the science and
practice of agriculture offer the greatest inducement
to us to redouble our combined exertions. We can
never impress too earnestly upon landlords, tenants, and
labourers, that in thus working together -we not only al-
vance the public go. d, but must best forward those indi-
vidual interests which come home ss naturally to each
and all of us with such peculiar force. On referring to
the discussions of the numerous farmers' clubs through-
out the country, it is impossible not to be struck with the
importance so very generally attach d to the subject
which I am to bring betore you this day, namely,
" Tenant Rights." I shall confine myself to giving as
shortly as I can a general outline of the question as it
now stands, and leave others more competent than my-
self to fill up those blanks which can only be supplied by
long practice and experience. They say a "fellow feel-
ifig makes us wondrous kind." I am myself in occupa-
tion of some land from year to year. I have felt and do
feel the uncertainty of the tenure ; that it cannot fail to
be detrimental to the investment of capital and the ad-
vancement of agriculture ; whilst, on the other hand, as a
landlord, I shall endeavonr to point out those relations
which appear to be mostconducive to the mutual advantage
of both landlord and tenant. After some consideration,
it is my deliberate opinion that it would not only be im-
practicable to frame a legislative enactment which would
meet the difficulties of the question, but that, by the
agitation of that point not only much valuable time
would be lost, but that during the discussion feelings and
expressions might possibly find vent, which might in
reality postpone a final settlement satisfactory to both
parties. In every instance where a tenant is prepared
with sufficient capital, I entirely agree with Mr. Cuth -
bert Johnston—there can be nothing like " a good, a
long, a liberal lease." Indeed, I can hardly conceive
that, under ordinary circumstance., any man would be
rash enough to invest a large amount of capital in a
farm without a lease ; but even then great care must be
taken that the covenants are drawn by a person of prac-
tical experience. On the other hand, the landlord who
grants a term of twenty-one years, and thus parts with
all control over his property for so long a period, must
necessarily, in self-defence, make fur his own safety such
arrangements as may guarantee him not only the im-
pr,vonient of the farm, but such as will profit e for its
being handed over to him at the end of the term in as
good condition at least as it was at the commencement.
It is clear that there must be many instances in which
existing tenants could hardly be able to give this guaran-
tee ; the difficulty of the question lies in this point only,
how those tenants who hold from year t-3 year can re-
ceive a guarantee for that outlay of capital which at the
time of their quitting may fairly be said to be exhausted
in the land, and which would fairly entitle them to com-
pensation. If practical farmers will attentively consider
this question, and bring forward each his own views,
there is but little doubt, looking at the anxiety on the
subject so generally expressed, that any judicious land-
lord will avail himself readily of such information, and
feel himself bound by interest, as well as a sense of jus-
tice, to forward, as far as in him lies, the settlement of
this question of tenant right. It would be the best sale-
guard against the uncertainty of that ill-defined term.
"customs of the country," which leads so often to liti-
gation, causes, in many instances, feelings of irritation
and dissatisfaction, and, when investigated, generally
fails to.protect the landlord, on the one hand, from the
deteriorated condition of his farm at the end of a term,
thereby rendering it more difficult for him to procure a
good tenant to enter on a bad holding; and where a
tenant has already expended money which gives him a
fair claim to compensation, it is equally incompetent to
enforce payment by the landlord of what, under a better
understood system of " tenant rights," would be enforced
as a matter of simple justice.
Lore ESSEX thanked Mr. Clutterbuck for the manner
in which be had brought this subject before the Club.
lie was ready and willing to give his word and his
hoed to remunerate his tenants for all permanent and
unexhausted improvements, or to afford any other
security to his tenants to induce them to farm in a
liberal manner. his Lordship also stated that the late
Lord Leicester would only let farms at the tate of one
acre to every ten pounds of capital, and his Lordship
also thought that one drawback on the land in some
localities was the fact that farmers held too much for
their capital.
Atter some discussion,
Mr. CLUTTERBUCH proposed the following resolution,
which was unanimously agreed to :—" That the ques-
tion of tenant rights' is well worthy of consideration,
as equally calculated to promote the interests of both
landlord and tenant, and the advancement of practical
agriculture.' "
After the discussion, the members dined together
at the Essex Arms, the Earl of Essex presiding. When
the cloth was removed
The Earl of ESSEX rose, and after some prefatory re
marks relative to the affairs of the club, said—At uo
period of our lives, at no period in the history of our
country, has it ever been, I think, so absolutely neces-
sary for all who are connected with agriculture to exert
themselves to the utmost, not only to advance themselves
in the profession they have chosen, but even to keep
their heads above water. (Hear, hear.) That
prop on which you have been accustomed to lean for
years past, and which you have been accustomed to con-
sider as conducive to your success—that prop, I believe,
is ahout to be removed. That broken reed—protection,
which you have long been accustomed to depend upon, is
about to be taken from you, and therefore I think ou
will agree with me that if ever it was essential, it is now
more than ever essential that you should exert your-
selves.—
(Hear, hear.) No doubt, by a great mea-
sure of this sort, as by all great measures, however
beneficial they may be to the great mass of the
country at large —by all great changes, I say,
such as this, some persons must suffer—(Hear, hear.)
On this occasion there are two classes of farmers
who are more liable to be injured than any others. The
first class comprehends all those who have hitherto been
farming without capital—men who, I should say, and I
say it with greater freedom, because I believe there are
none here who are in that situation—men who never
should have been farmers at all ; because it is clear that
if there is an occupation in which, owing to the vicissi-
tudes of the seasons, capital is absolutely necessary, it is
the occupation of farming. I, therefore, frankly and
freely say that if those who are farming from hand to
mouth, as it is termed—men who ought not to be farmers,
should suffer from this change, however much we may be
sorry for the individuals, yet we shall not be surprised.—
(Hear, bear.) The next class of men is those who, hav-
ing capital, possess not sufficient confidence in their own
energies, or in the productive powers of the soil, to em-
ploy that capital to the best advantage. With regard
to that class, I must say, that if, in addition to
their unwillingness to employ capital, they should also
feel an unwillingness to throw over their deep-
rooted prejudices, and many of those antiquated ideas
which still exist in the breasts of many farmers ;
if they feel unwilling again to go to school, and
to benefit by the advantages of science, and the expe-
rience of others, both of which are now so lavishly
offered them ; if they are unwilling to enter the race of
improvement which is now so general throughout the
country—to those men I must say, as their best friend,
that they should leave their profession before they to-e
the remainder of their fortunes.—(Hear, hear.) For if
they determine to stand still while others are advancing,
they will find that those who are possessed of more
energy and enterprise will outrun and cast them down.
—(Bear, hear.) These are the classes of men who I
believe will suffer most from the great changes which are
about to take place ; but there is another class who have
capital, and who, I believe, cannot better employ it than