UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF tas hs ese pt 
Office of the Secretary 
Contribution from the Office of Farm Management 
W. J. SPILLMAN, Chief 
Washington, D. C. Vv February 26, 1918 
LEASE CONTRACTS USED IN RENTING FARMS 
ON SHARES. 
[A study of the distribution of investments, expenses, and income between 
landlord and tenant. | 
By HE. V. Witcox, Agriculturist. 
CONTENTS. 
Page Page 
IDITELE MLS SbeIN Sear eer senee. os ee cy Le Ae PROS TRACTLONS cle ieiaie res Sse ete ee preci isi esis 22 
ength otleasepernlodms ae ee Vee 3 | Supervision by the landlord.......2......... 22 
Methods of sharing crops and stock products. . AS Good husbandtyss 42.2 vsectbeere ee see 22 
Methods of sharing pasture.................. 15) AG vances|totenant. 225 sseseea eee sets ee 23 
Contracts for clearing land................... 15 | General systems of share leasing............. 23 
Ownership of equipment...-..............-- 15 | Sample stock-share lease........-...-.-..-..- 24 
Methods of sharing expenses...............-- 17 | Assumptions underlying lease contracts...... 28 
Unexhausted value of fertilizers.............- 20 | Suggestions toward a rational lease contract. . 33 
Repairs and improvements..................- 21°) Status of the tenant-- 2...) ee ce ele 36 
Privileges and perquisites............:....... 21 
DIFFERENT SYSTEMS. 
About 37 per cent of the farms in the United States are operated 
by tenants under lease. Acute interest is being manifested by both 
landowners and tenants in the general features and special stipula- 
tions of lease contracts. Numerous inquiries are being made as to 
proper methods of sharing equipment, labor, and other expenses in- 
volved in farm operations, and as to the proper fractions to use in 
dividing proceeds. Practically all these questions are of an agricul- 
tural rather than a legal nature. It is a matter of much importance, 
therefore, to study lease contracts from a pure farm management 
standpoint. The wording of a lease is a comparatively simple prob- 
lem aiter the conditions essential to fairness have been agreed upon. 
Several methods of leasing are in use, as shown by an examination 
of leases in force. Farms may be rented for cash, either a stipulated 
) 28624°—18— Bull. 650 1 1 
