Of Leases. 17 



season, and the only time which can prevent an outgoing tenant from 

 doing considerable mischief to the land, by the poaching of cattle. It is 

 likewise the most convenient season for the new tenant, not only to 

 buy live stock, but to do various works, preparatory to the following 

 summer. Indeed a successful summer occupation cannot be expect- 

 ed, unless the same tenant possesses the land during the previous win- 

 ter. The like reasoning proves, that Michaelmas is the most suitable 

 season for changing the tenant of the hay-farms in Middlesex *. 



3. In arable farms, Michaelmas in the southern districts, and Mar- 

 tinmas in the more northern, are the most beneficial to both parties. 

 The outgoing tenant remains till his crop is reaped, and secured from 

 the risk of injury ; whilst the incoming tenant enters, when his pre- 

 sence and stock are necessary, to sow his wheat and tares in the 

 autumn, as well as to prepare the lands for the ensuing spring crops ; 

 and when he can generally purchase every article he wants, on mo- 

 derate terms. Some inconvenience will arise, both to the incoming 

 and outgoing tenant, whatever be the term of entry; but perhaps, on 

 the whole, Michaelmas or Martinmas, for arable farms, is as little 

 liable to objection, as any other that can be suggested ; provided the 

 fallow, and the turnip land are worked by the outgoing tenant, for which 

 a fair compensation ought to be made to him. 



It were much to be wished, that the subject were thoroughly in- 

 vestigated, and that some general rules were laid down by the most 

 extensive proprietors in the several counties, for the commencement 

 and termination of leases, according to the climate, mode of husbandry, 

 and a variety of other circumstances of a local nature. If this could 

 be effected, it would soon be considered the custom of the country t 

 and as such would be enforced by law. This would ultimately prove 

 highly advantageous both to landlords and tenants. 



4. As to the general regulations connected with the change of te- 

 nants, one rule is, *' That the possession of the farm should be entire, 

 " and not partial." Great losses are sustained, where a contrary sys- 

 tem is adopted ; for it leads to endless disputes between the incoming 

 and outgoing tenant, by which the interests of both are most serious- 

 ly affected. Whatever portion of the crop the new tenant may want, 

 should be valued, and paid for, at that valuation, by the new posses- 

 sor. The outgoing tenant should also be paid for ploughings sub- 

 stantially done, as well as for such turnips as may be growing in the 

 land, in a clean state, at the end of the lease ; and for seeds left in the 

 ground for a crop of clover, or herbage, to be obtained in the ensuing 

 year. But on no account ought he to be permitted to remove any 

 straw, hay, or manure, from the premises he has occupied. Were 

 this prohibition made general, it would not be attended with incon- 

 venience to any individual continuing a farmer. 



3. Duration of leases. This is a subject of great importance ; 

 for unless a tenant has the certainty of enjoying the land he occupies 



* Communication from John Middleton, Esq. The late Duke of Bedford, 

 when letting his Bedfordshire estates, in 1795, changed the term to A'ew 

 Michaelmas, making compensations in all proper cases. 



b 



