Jiine 2, 1908.] JfrncuUural Gazette of N.S.W. 451 



Share=farming. 



A considerable number of farms, uud particularly the large ones, are 

 worked on what is known as the " shares '"' system. 



Under tliis system a farmer possessing the necessary team and imple- 

 ments arranges witli the land-holder to crop a certain area for a season, 

 or for a number of seasons. The usual form of agreement provides that 

 the landowner shall provide land, seed, two-thirds of the nianure (where 

 manure is used), and bags for his share; the farmer on his part must 

 perform all tlie operations of cultivation and harvesting in a workman- 

 like manner, and at seasonable times, iising his own plant for the pur- 

 pose; he must also provide one-third of the nuinure (where manure is 

 used), and l)ags for his share. Up to a specified yield of the crop, the 

 owner and farmer take equal shares ; any excess l)ecomes the property 

 of the farmer, as a bonus to encourage good and thorough farming. 

 Special arrangements are often made to suit local conditions. This 

 method of working large areas is invariably a success where the arrange- 

 ment is drawn up on a truly co-operative basis, and is one of the most 

 satisfactory ways of working large estates. At " landra," the birth-place 

 of this system in New South Wales, some 18,000 acres are planted on 

 the shares system. Share-farming is admittedly not so desirable a con- 

 dition as that in which every man farms liis own land, but such a system 

 is one by which large properties can be successfully handled, and one by 

 whicli a man who has no land of his own may accumulate enough means 

 to buy some. That it has done this is proved by the cases of farmers 

 who now have comfortable properties of their own, but who commenced 

 as sliare-farmers. To reputable, suitable men, without capital or plant, 

 some landowners liave advanced sufficient capital to enable the men to 

 buy plant and make a start. In some cases the owner places a price on 

 the land, and gives the share-farmer the option of purchasing his area 

 at tliat price after five years. 



Cost of Implements. 



Labour-saving machinery is necessary to the wheat-grower, and he is 

 fully alive to this fact. The machinery merchants assist the man with 

 small capital to acquire this b\ supplying implements and machines on 

 easy terms, the payments being spread over two or three seasons, and 

 falling due after harvest time. For the accommodation provided, a 

 reasonable rate of interest is charged. The cash prices in Sydney for 

 some of the various implements, ite., \ised on a farm are : — 

 Plouglis — 



Mould-board, ordinary, 2-furrow, £10. 



Mould-board, ordinary, i-furrow, £18. 



Mould-l)oard, stump-junqj, 2-furrow, £22. 



Mould-board, stump-jump, 4-furroAv, £."52. 



Disc, ordinary, 4-furrow, £26. 



Disc, stump-jump. 4-furrow, £38. 



