The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-03-03
VOL. LIMO. 9
Renting Farms.

In Maryland and in the adjoining
states, where the mixed system of farm
ing is practiced, farms arc usually rented
or leased from the first day Of March,
usually for one year, with the privilege of
renewal from year to year. In the grain
! growing sections most of the farms are
under crop rent-that is, the landowner
furnishes the seed corn and seed wheat,
so much lime and so much fertilizer, the
tenant furnishing the labor, stock and
implements for farming the place to ad-
| vantage. The owner of the farm usually
| gets for his share two-thirds Of the wheat
and two-thirds of the corn. The tenant
gets the other third, all the vegetables
and fruit on the place, and has also the
privilege of raising and pasturing rea-
sonable amount of stock. The hay, fod-
der and straw grown must be fed TO fat
tening cattle, the resulting manure spread
over the land. In the dairy sections the
| farms are usually taken at a money rent,
the tenant having his own stock and
| farming the land under certain restric-
tious. Each of these systems has certain
advantages. Much depends upon the
| business ability of the tenant, whichever
system is followed A lawyer of expert
ence SAYS: ain the rental of farm prop
erty the greater risk is always on the
landlords side. He is putting his prop
ertv into the possession and care of an
other, and that other is not infrequently
person of doubtful utility"
The following rules should be followed
in drawing lease either for one or more
years:
l. Trust no verbal lease. Let it be
written, signed and sealed. It's stipula-
tons then become commands and can be
enforced. Have papers signed in dupli.
cate, one for each.
.. Insert such covenants as to repairs,
manner Of use and in restraint of waste
as the circumstances call for.
6. There should be covenants against
assigning and undertaking.
4. Make the rent payable in monthly
instruments for dairy farms and in quar-
terly payments fer mixed farming. A
covenant that the crops shall remain the
lessons till the lessee's contracts with
him have been fulfilled is valid against
the lessee's creditors. In the ordinary
case of renting farms on shares the courts
will treat the crops as the joint property
of landlord and tenant, and thus protect
the farmers rights.
5. Every lease should contain a stipu-
lation for forfeiture and re-entry in case
of nonpayment or breach of any of the
covenants.
6. To prevent 4 tenants committing
waste, such as cutting and selling timber
off the farm, or injuring the farm in any
way, the courts will grant an INDUCTION.
I. 1t should be distinctly stated that
no manure, straw, fodder or hay should
be sold of the place without the written
consent of the owner
s. The landlord should covenant to
keep buildings in repair, and to build
new fences if necessary, the repairs to the
regular fences to be made by tenant.
9. Above all, be careful in selecting
your tenant.
The writer, having had many years of
experience in renting farms, would say
that, having a good tenant, it will be the
part of wisdom on the part of the land
lord to treat him literally. If the land
needs lime, give him the lime, he to haul
and spread it. In case of crop failure
from bad weather reduce the rent for
that year Have buildings fully insured,
and see that tenant has his stock, i'm
plemcnts. grain and forage also fully in.
sured-Baltimore American.