134 agricultural depression 



Landlords' Improvements really paid 

 FOR BY Tenants. 



In any case it must be recognised that, until the more 

 recent and acute stages of the depression, agricultural 

 tenants have themselves been clearing away for genera- 

 tions past, the capital and interest of the outlays made 

 by their landlords. This is established in the evidence 

 and in the reports. In some cases the repayment has 

 been made in instalments repayable by specific agree- 

 ment, in others by some proportionate increase of rent. 

 In most cases it must be presumed that the whole out- 

 lay was thus repaid; in others, a part of the outlay. In 

 his own case, mentioned by Mr Carrington Smith, a 

 clause was added to his agreement providing that the 

 money borrowed by his landlord for improvements on 

 the farm was to be paid off by the tenant at the rate of 

 7 per cent. " I continued to pay principal and interest 

 on the drainage until its repayment was finished ; then, 

 of course, the extra charge upon me ceased." 



On an estate in South Dorset, the tenant is compelled 

 to agree to pay 5 per cent, on all landlord's outlay and 

 drainage, and also " to convey all materials for such 

 improvements free of cost from a distance not more than 

 ten miles." 



But where no specific agreement has been entered 

 upon, but there has only been an increase of rent on a 

 general understanding that the increase was to pay for 

 outlay by the landlord on improvements, it is probable 

 that this increased rental has, in many cases, become 

 crystallised as the accepted rent of the holding, and the 

 addition made in respect of the improvement on which 

 the outlay took place has not ceased at the end of the 

 reasonable time within which the addition to rent would 

 have cleared off both principal and interest. 



Thus Mr Davidson says : " In the old days " (before 

 the depression) " I think the interest on drainage was 

 regarded as so much rent when you came to renew your 

 lease." 



Mr Stuart says of a Banffshire tenant : " The tenant 



