St. Paul daily globe., 1888-06-18
FARMS ON SHARES.
The Methods of Division in Vogue
in Some of the States.


ton on this subject from most of the
agricultural states, a portion of which is
sGbjoined: THE usual share of the
tenant in New Hampshire is one-half;
on less valuable lands, or those remote
from market, he receives five-eighths.
Conditions vary in minor details. SIM
liar terms of the share contract prevail
in Vermont. One of the diversions
from the regulation form of the contract
is money rent per cow ON dairy farms
of from SIS to $40. The tenant ''at the
halves" is sometimes required to fur
nish half the stock ana tools, or to pay
interest on the investment if fur
nished by the proprietor. There is very
little share farming in Massachusetts,
most OccupierS owning the lands they
cultivate: yet in few instances in
every town the share system is en-
plOyed, practically the same as in the
neighbOring states. There are probably
less than three hundred share tenants
in Rhode Island. working generally for
half, with considerable variation in the
details of the contract. In Connecticut
the tenant getting half sometimes pays
a share of the taxes and of the fertiliz-
ers, if any are used beyond the re-
sources of the farm. Where only labor
10 1ul HlSlISu, GllC lain UciIS lully
equipped by the owner and work ami
mails fed, the laborer gets one-third, or
if the land is in high state of culti-
walton. a fourth will sometimes suf-
fee. One-half is usually obtained by
tenants in New York, or one-third with
a minimum of provision or response
billty beyond mere labor. In some in
stances the taxes or the threshing bill
may be divided between the farmer and
the tenant, or interest may be charged
for use of stock and tools. In New Jer-
sey One-half is the rule in share con-
tracts, with somewhat variable cOndi-
tions, and labor alone receives one
fourth to one-third. The item of fer
tiliZers is always important here, al
ways considered in leases, and the guam
tity required affects the terms of the
contract. The tenant is usually re-
Quired to furnish implements, teams
and seed. In some cases the tenant is
allowed twO-thirds of the grain and one
half of the hay. Pennsylvania has
great variety OF forms of share can
tracts. allowing the tenant one-half,
twO-thirdS, and even three-fourthS of
the produce, according to the value and
productiveness of the land and its equip
ments. One-third is the usual proper
ton for labor only. In some cases the
tenant is required to pay half of the
taxes.
In Indiana the farm is usually taken
''at the halves" Sometimes three-tifthS
or two-thirdS is the custom. Where up
lands are farmed for two-thirdS or three
tifthS, bottom lands are sometimes taken
at one-half. For labor alone the tenant
gets one-third; in best lands one-fourth.
Similar practice prevails in Illinois, the
tenant receiving One-half, three-fifths,
and sometimes tWO-thirdS. according to
land and requirements aside from labor
In Douglas county One-third of small
grain goes to the tenant and tWO-fifthS
of the Indian corn and broom corn. On
well-drained bottom lands One-half is
the tenants share, while he gets two
thirds on less productive soils. The
renter gets from one-half to two
thirds in Wisconsin. There is con-
siderable variation in Minnesota, from
One-half to threefourthS to tenant be-
ing reported. In Mower county 1.-The
usual contract is for owners to fur
nish land. seed, grain and sometimes
part OF machinery, and give one-half of
crop" In Rice ''one-half is given when
the laborer furnishes his team, seed,
etc" This plan is reported for several
counties. If the bare land, Sor land with
house, is furnished, the tenant gets the
larger proportion, two-thirds, at least.
In Dodge the prevailing usage is to fur
nish land, seed and pay half the thresh-
ing bill, owner and tenant dividing
equally. The main cause of variation
is the relative prOductiveness of the
farm; otherwise, conditions depend
upon what is furnished besides the land.
The contract in Iowa is generally for
One-third to the owner and two-thirds
for the tenant. if the renter furnishes
everything, otherwise the tenant gets
half. In some cases it is half the hay
and twO-thirdS of the grain, both har-
vested and garnered. In some cases
the owner furnishes seed and pays half
the threShing bill, getting half of the
crop. In Missouri two-thirds to the
tenant is usual. when only land is
furnished, one-half to two-ffths when
horses and implements go with the land
and ohe-third when the horses are fed
in addition, and sometimes only one
fourth. The prevailing custom in Kan
SaS is to give two-thirds to the tenant.
who furnishes everything but the land,
though the rule varies, and the range is
from one-half to three-fOurths. The
compensation for labor alone is one
fourth to One-third, one-third to the
owner for land alone, and One-third for
labor done, the other third going for
outfit and feed OF animals, to owner or
tenant, whoever furnishes it. In some
counties it is said there is more land
broken than is cultivated, and land can
sometimes be had free, especially tree
claims before the trees are set out.
Two-thirdS to the tenant furnishing all
is the usual custom in Dakota. When
the owner furnishes land, house, barn,
all seod, and pays for half the threshing,
the crop is equally divided.
Similar terms are given in other terri
tories. In Idaho tenant can get land
the first year free if he does the break
ing. For labor alone one-third is usu-
ally given. Land and teams command
one-half the product. When only land
is rented three-fourths of the crops are
sometimes taken by the tenants. The
contract most in vogue in California
gives two-thirds to the tenant who fur
nlshes the farm equipments, using only
land. In extreme cases he gets three
fourths. In San Benito the tenant paws
so cents per acre and One-fOurth of the
produce. In Alameda and Other coun-
ties he receives three-fourths of the
grain and twO-thirdS Of the hay. SIM
liar terms prevail in Oregon, in most
cases the tenant receiving twO-thirds of
the crops. Very few farms are occu-
pied by tenants in Washington terri
tory. Where the practice prevails the
terms are like those of Oregon and Cali
fornia.
POINTS FOR HOUSEKEEPERS
House Cleaning Can Be Relieved
t.