CHAPTER 10 

 METHODS OF RENTING LAND 



METHODS of renting land are becoming of increasing 

 importance. Thirty-seven per cent of the farmers in the 

 United States now rent all the land that they operate 

 and 9 per cent rent part of the land. Renting is the 

 common means by which the young man gets started in 

 farming. It is the usual means of handling land when 

 the farmer wishes to retire. Most of the rented farms in 

 the northern part of the United States are owned by re- 

 tired farmers and rented by younger men. 



204. Basis of rental. The profit required by the 

 landlord is in proportion to his risk and trouble. Cash 

 rent requires least risk and is the cheapest rent. If the 

 landlord receives a share of the crops, he takes a risk on 

 weather and on the kind of farming done by the tenant. 

 In return, he requires a higher rent. If the landlord fur- 

 nishes part of the machinery and stock, his risk is still 

 greater. He has risk of loss by natural causes and because 

 of a tenant's carelessness. Not only is the risk greater, 

 but the time and bother in looking after the place are in- 

 creased. The rental rates become still higher. If the 

 landlord furnishes everything, and even trusts the tenant 

 for his groceries, as is the system with many negro tenants, 

 it is evident that the risk and supervision required are at 

 their maximum. The landlord must then receive a very 

 high rental. 



Y 321 



