The enterprise-recorder. (Madison, Fla.) 1908-1933, 1909-05-13

with pro nellC WlbuOm IlNdlluB
,s,t of the authors of the Declara-
,lon of Independence, the late Gen
sral James Wadsworth more than 100
,sars ago wrote farm lease which is
Am used by his heirs in the manage
ment of about 10000 acres of land
An the Genesee Valley of Now York.
YARNS and farming a century ago
we're not what they are to-day, and
vet the form of lease which General
Wsdsworth studied out and adopted
has not been materially altered in
issi time. 1t still answers in that
~ 1t still answers most require
ments. As originally drawn It out
lined a system which compelled the
rrsetice of a profitable agriculture.
Il provided in some measure for the
maintenance as well as the improve
ment Of soil fertility, It aimed at
me highest welfare of the tenant,
diving him all the opportunities and
pdylleges calculated to inspire his
hest endeavors and insure him a fair
reward. Experience has proved the
wisdom of every article in the cove
nanA. Under its operation the beautl-
hl Estate Of land-loying family has
been gradually raised to a higher ba-
sis bf profit, and the tenants have
prosbered. A lease which secures
these results and dates back 100
years seems an extraordinary docu-
ment, and many of our readers will
be interested in an analysis of its
chief provisions and in some account
Of the results which it has produced
under the intelligent direction of
Hon. James W. Wadsworth. who for
many years has managed the estate
as business.
Globe trotters assert that the Cen
esee Valley IS one Of the most pictur-
esque and productive spots on the
worlds map. 1t has been compared
10 its advantage with other famed
valleys. We like to think of it as a
nate to the Miami Valley of Ohio,
which in many ways it resembles.
Central western New York is its To-
catldn. The soil is a deep loan with
a clAy subsoil. Natural drainage is
adeq Iuate for the most part, although
much of the land should be tiled.
The borders of the valley consist Of
gentle hills heightened by trees of
great age. Trees of historic dignity
stand in companionable solitude in
the valley itself. Rich old pastures
Of blue grass literally stocked with
cattle and sheep occupy their proper
of the land. To complete
a picture Of rich pastoral beauty we
have but to imagine the presence Of
the usually clear lively waters Of the
Genesee River trickling their way
along shallow banks clothed in grass.
Occasionally this tranquil little
stream, overworked as an outlet for
the water It receives, rushes out of its
bed and floods broad stretches Of con-
.iguous land. When we saw the Gen
asee Valley in June it was at the
height of its fresh green charms.
Small grains were in splendid pros
Dect, pastures were luXuriant, the
rees were in full vesture, and great
iads of beans were conspicuous.
The Wadsworth estate embraces
he Heart OK the Genesee Valley. For
three generations this land has been
owned by the Wadsworths. Several
hundred acres have been added al
most every year. A tract of 400
acres was annexed on the day Of our
visit. Farms under wise manage
ment invariably grow larger. No
successful farmer ever had all the
and he wanted. Altogether the es-
late contains about 10000 acres, d.
,ided into seventy farms, varying in
size from about $50 to 700 acres, the
average being about 200 acres. Land
Is valued at about $50 per acre in the
valley. Each farm, fully equipped
with buildings, is leased annually.
Among the seventy tenants are men
who have been on the estate for fifty
Years, and many for twenty-five
'ears, Several nationalities are rep
'esented, Scotch, English and North
II ireland farmers being in the ma
orityl Under the Wadsworth lease
good farmers are retained and the
'ther kind eliminated. 1t works au-
omaHcally. Every year there is a
ong list Of names from which to Sc
ect new tenants, but only a few are
needed, as when once a man who |
Knows how to farm takes hold OF one
lf thpea bop,aetaode he finds II DrOf- |