SPECIAL FARM TOPICS 257 



the estate is, therefore, run on practically the same plan, regardless 

 of varying soil conditions and the adaptability of the different 

 tenants to such a type of farming. This was the easiest and perhaps 

 the most economical method of handling so large an estate. Never- 

 theless, it is undoubtedly true that could each farm be operated with 

 reference to the best development of that farm alone, considerably 

 higher yields could be obtained. Strictly high-grade farming should 

 make these farms yield on an average at least 50 bushels of corn 

 and 25 bushels of wheat to the acre. A method of handling that 

 would produce these results, however, implies constant supervision 

 by a thoroughly trained manager, well versed in both the science 

 and practice of agriculture. The very thin stands of clover observed 

 on some farms and the actual results secured on a few farms indi- 

 cate that in many instances lime or some other soil improver is 

 needed for the best development of the clover crop. It is believed, 

 by many farmers in the section of country where these farms are 

 located that lime should be applied at regular intervals. 



On some of the farms of the estate having sandy loam soils it is 

 probable that an increase in the potash supplied in the fertilizer 

 would prove beneficial. A skilled manager would also introduce 

 better cultureal methods on some of these farms and bring in im- 

 proved strains of corn and wheat. However, for a scheme of man- 

 agement that relieves the owner of the responsibility of details it 

 would be difficult to devise a better plan than the one already adopted 

 and in operation. 



Distinctive Features of the System. The distinctive features of 

 the tenant system described in the foregoing pages follow : 



1. The tenant is well provided with a comfortable house and 

 with barns and other outbuildings. 



2. He is encouraged to keep live stock and is supplied with 

 equipment for fencing and shelter. 



3. He is given all the roughage when he feeds it, but only 

 half when he sells it, thus making it to his interest to feed stock and 

 return the manure to the land. 



4. He is under contract to use on certain crops fixed quantities 

 of fertilizers of a specified formula; the quality of this fertilizer is 

 guaranteed by the estate. 



5. He must sow a given quantity of clover seed each year. 

 This is to his advantage, as he gets the crop either for pasture or 

 for hay, and in addition he receives the benefit of it as a soil renova- 

 tor. To their own disadvantage, many farm owners neglect to sow 

 clover when the price of seed is high or for other reasons. Under 

 this tenant system such neglect is made impossible without violating 

 the contract. Herein is one advantage this system may have over 

 systems usually followed by owners. 



6. He takes an interest in the farm on account of his belief in 

 the fairness of the contract and in the permanency of his tenure. 



Systems for Tenant Farms. 1. A good system, with reference 

 both to rotation and the maintenance of soil fertility, is essential to 

 a. permanently profitable farm. 



