588 BRITISH HUSBANDRY. 



Notices should also be in writing, and delivered to the party to whom they 

 are addressed, or left at the house of such party, by some indifferent person, 

 who, in case of dispute, may be produced as a witness in a court of law. 



The entry to farms is in Great Britain usually made at the diflFerent festivals 

 known as " quarter-days," which are thus fixed — 



In Engi.anu and Ireland. In Scotland. 



Lady-day is the 2'jth. of March, 

 Midsummer „ 24th ., June. 

 Michacdmas ,, 29th ,, September. 

 Christmas ., 25th ,, December.' 



Candlemas is the 2nd of February. 

 AVhitsuntide ,, 15th „ May.* 

 Lammas „ 1st „ August. 



Martinmas ,, 11th ,, November. 



' Entries are also sometimes agreed upon for certain purposes on May-day ; 

 and it is not uncommon, even at this time, to stipulate Old May-day, or the 

 12th, instead of the 1st of the month, according to the custom which existed 

 previous to the change occasioned by the introduction of the new style. 



The payment nf rent for land is usually stipulated for half-yearly, but 

 is seldom called for until the following quarter ; and, on some estates, it is 

 customary to allow the tenant a full half-year's credit for the rent already due ; 

 thus only collecting half a-year at the end of a twelvemonth ; unless the tenant 

 should give up his land, in which case he must be ready to pay his rent before 

 he removes his crops. In order to guard against a fraudulent removal of the 

 property,' a clause is, however, generally inserted in the lease rendering the rent 

 payable forty days previous to its expiration. 



in Scotland, the landlord has what is called " the right of hypothec" under 

 which he has a preferable lien upon the crops until payment of the rent for the 

 year in which they were produced ; and upon the stock untd three months after 

 the expiration of the last term of payment. 



If rent, king's taxes, or parochial rates be levied by distress, the broker, or 

 person levying the same, must deliver a signed copy of his cost and charges to 

 the person whose goods have been seized ; and in case the amount to be levied 

 does not exceed the sura of 20/. the legal costs are limited to the following, — 

 viz. : — 



s. d. 

 Levying distress . . . • .30 



Man in possession, per da}', if the goods be not removed, and they 



cannot be sold until after the fourth day . . .26 



Appraisement, sixpence in the pound on the value of the goods, 



together with a stamped receipt for the amount 

 Expenses of advertisements, if any such . . . 10 



Catalogues, sale and commission, with delivery of goods, one 

 shilling in the pound on the net produce of the sale. 



If the above be exceeded, the broker or person levying may be summoned be- 

 fore any justice of the peace, and if the complaint be proved he will be subject 

 to treble costs, or be committed to prison. 7 and 8 Geo. IV., c. 1 7. 



If the sum levied be of larger amoinit than 20/., or if the goods seized and 

 sold be of much greater value than the rent or taxes due, then the party 

 aggrieved has his remedy by action. 



If he disputes the debt, or wishes to gain time for the settlement, he must 

 then replevy the goods, which is done by giving two substantial householders as 

 securities to the sheriff in a bond for the prosecution of the suit and the pay 

 ment of the claim, or the value of the goods distrained if less than the amount 

 of the rent claimed, and costs, if it be substantiated. 



If a tenant refuses to quit the land on the expiration of his lease, or after due 

 notice to quit, the landlord may, without any process, enter and take posses- 

 sion ; but if opposed, or if for any other reason he does not choose to act in this 

 summary manner, he must then proceed to the recovery of possessio'i by 

 ejectment; and if entitled to possession, the judge will thereupon issue a writ of 

 possession immediately, — 1 Will. IV., c.70, s. 38 ; but, if he be nonsuited, orjlose 

 a verdict on the merits, he will be subject to double costs. — 1 Geo. IV., c. 87, s. 6. 



In case of the tenant deserving the premises during six weeks, without 

 leaving sufRcient effects to cover the rent by distress, possession may be sum- 

 marily obtained upon affidavit of the circumstances made upon application 



* This ,although a movable feast, is fixed for entries at the 15th of May. 



