34 



BULLETIN 41, TJ. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGRICULTUEE. 



There is a slight difference in yield in favor of the live-stock men. 

 The results for the one year are only an indication, further studies 

 being needed to determine this point. However, the difference in 

 crop yields is not as great as many persons suppose. The larger 

 profits of the live-stock type of farming are due, primarily, to a bet- 

 ter utilization of the farmer's time and to the relative selling price 

 of hogs and corn. 



• SYSTEMS OF FARM TENURE. 



Two systems of farm rental are found in the districts studied in the 

 three States. The most common one is a share basis, whereby the 

 owner furnishes the land and one-half the grass seed and pays one- 

 half the cost of thrashing and all his taxes and insurance. All grain 

 crops are shared equally, the tenant agreeing to deliver the landlord's 

 share to the elevator or market. In a few cases, especially in Indiana, 

 where the grain is fed instead of sold, the owner furnishes half of 

 the productive stock. Where the landlord furnishes no stock and 

 sells his half of the grain the tenant may sell or feed his share. All 

 hay or roughage is usually fed on the farm. In the grain districts 

 very little hay is grown, the farmers using oat straw for feeding their 

 horses. 



RELATION OF THE SYSTEM OF RENTAL TO THE TENANT'S INCOME. 



The kind of a lease the tenant secures has a bearing on his income. 

 Table XXVII gives the labor incomes of tenants renting under both 

 systems. The tenants paying their rent in cash received greater in- 

 comes in Indiana and Illinois, but less in Iowa. They have greater 

 capital, although they are on smaller farms. 



Table XXVII. — Relation of the system of rental to the tenant's income on Sift 

 farms operated by tenants in Indiana, Illinois, and Ioica. 





State. 



Cash-rent system. 



Share-rent system. 





Number 

 of farms. 



Tenant's 

 capital. 



Labor 



income. 



Number 

 of farms. 



Tenant's 

 capital. 



Labor 

 income. 





14 



17 

 27 



$2, 272 

 3,118 

 2,942 



$864 



1,440 



689 



69 



54 

 66 



SI, 654 

 2,788 

 2,555 



$733 





1,044 





727 









Total i 



58 



2,777 



998 



189 



2,332 



835 









With the cash-rent system a tenant needs more capital- than on 

 the share basis. He has to bear all expenses and furnish nearly 

 everything for operating the place. He takes greater risks and in 

 a poor year stands a chance to lose heavily. If he has no surplus 

 capital he may have to sacrifice some of his working equipment to pay 

 the rent, 



