Time of Entry on Farms. 321 



contributed by neighbours for their convenience, to swell the 

 sale of what he mainly looks to, the crops and stock. 



Fixtures. — As regards agricultural fixtures in the strict sense 

 of the word, by an Act passed 14 and 15 Vict., cap. 25, it is 

 enacted that — 



"If any tenant of a farm or lands shall, after the passing of this Act, with 

 the consent in writing of the landlord for the time being, at his OAvn cost and 

 expense, erect any farm-bnilding, either detached or otherwise, or put up any 

 other building, engine, or machinery, either for agricultural purposes or for 

 the ptirposes of trade and agriculture (which shall not have been erected or put 

 up in pursuance of some obligation in that behalf), then all such buildings, 

 engines, and machineiy shall be the property of the tenant, and shall be re- 

 movable by him notwithstanding the same may consist of separate buildings, 

 or that the same or any part thereof may be built in or permanently fixed to 

 the soil, so as the tenant, making any such removal, do not in anywise injure 

 the land or buildings belonging to the landlord, or otherwise do put the same 

 in like plight and condition, or as good plight and condition as the same were 

 in before the erection of anything so removed : Provided nevertheless that no 

 tenant shall, under the provision last aforesaid, be entitled to remove any 

 such matter or thing as aforesaid without first giving to the landlord or his 

 agent one month's previous notice in writing of his intention to do so ; and 

 thereupon it shall be lawful for the landlord, or his agent on his authority, to 

 elect to purchase the matters and things so proposed to be removed, or any of 

 them ; and the right to remove the same shall thereby cease, and the same 

 shall belong to the landlord ; and the value thereof shall be ascertained and 

 determined by two referees, one to be chosen by each party, or by an umpire 

 to be named by such referees, and sliall be paid or allowed in account by the 

 landlord, who shall have so elected to purchase the same." 



By this most useful and comparatively recent Act, the interest 

 of the landlord is promoted, at the same time that great encou- 

 ragement is given to the enterprise of an intelligent and earnest 

 tenant. With such fixtures, being permanent improvements, the 

 in-coming tenant should in fairness have nothing to do. There 

 being, however, landlords so short-sighted as to throw all they can 

 upon the in-coming tenant, rather tlian allow the outgoing tenant 

 to remove what may be essential to, or at least greatly favour, 

 the due working of the farm, it will be well for the in-comer to take 

 such fixtures at a valuation made by unbiassed parties. This we 

 suppose to be done upon the security of a long lease. Upon 

 such a question, however, the in-coming tenant should never have 

 to decide. Such a so-called fixture as a chaff-cutter, which, in 

 the right sense of the word, is no fixture at all — a machine that, 

 on a 100-acre farm, will save its prime cost in a winter — if in 

 fair condition and good working trim, it would be advisable for 

 the in-coming tenant to retain, as he might have some difficulty 

 in replacing as aptly a tried machine — that is, if he can retain it 

 at a fair price. A thrashing-machine, engine, &c,, corn-bins, 

 dairy-fittings, &c., being fixtures in the right sense of the word, 

 it belona:s to the landlord to deal with. 



