FoodNet

On habits and manners

1888

Page 89

Presented as published in 1888. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
And it is agreed that said John Doe shall furnish three head of yearling cattle and ten pigs over three months old, at the beginning of each year of said term. And that all grain fed to said stock shall be out of the share of said Richard Roe. And that said stock shall be common property, share and share alike, and shall not be disposed of before the end of the said term of three years, unless by consent of both parties hereto. Working teams are to be fed from the un- divided crops. It is further agreed that said Richard Roe shall have the use of half an acre of ground adjoining the dwelling, as a kitchen garden ; and shall have the privilege of cutting as much timber as may be necessary for fencing upon the farm, and wood for his family. And said John Doe agrees to pay all the taxes upon said property except the road tax, which is to be paid by said Richard Roe. And the said John Doe covenants that the said lessee shall have quiet enjoyment of his term. I98 ON HABITS AND MANNERS. The said Richard Roe covenants to deliver the said John Doe's third, at the South barn on said premises, without charge and in as good order as that in which his own crops are housed. The said Richard Roe further covenants that he will not assign without leave ; that he will keep the fences in repair and pay the road tax, and to raise forty acres of corn each year. Witness the following signatures and seals. John Doe, [seal.] Richard Roe, [seal.] Witnesses at signing, Solon Shingle, Joseph Jefferson. Sometimes Richard Roe is not able to furnish team and seed, and implements. John then furnishes half, and receives half the crops. XI. The advantages of renting on shares over renting for cash are principally to be seen in bad seasons. When from drouth, or long rains, or insect enemies, the crops fail, the owner gets very little; while the tenant, having dwelling, garden and fuel free, can raise his own meat and vegetables and make his poultry and butter pay his grocery bills ; leaving him but little worse off for the bad season, except his loss of time and wear of tools. Sometimes, however, it would be better to take the risk of renting for cash, as the money rent is often considerably cheaper in good seasons. The advantages of either method of renting over buying are, that the farmer who rents has the most money left to buy stock, seed, manure and labor with. And he can turn a small capital over much more rapidly in these things than in land. ON HABITS AND MANNERS. 1 99 XII. The farmer whose money is all wrapped up in land is compelled to sell his grain for want of stock to eat it. Such farmers are getting, this year, fifty cents per bushel for corn. The same corn fed to hogs would be worth one dollar per bushel, provided dressed pork brings six cents per pound. The man who has ready money enough to buy hogs at the right time can thus realize twice as much money for his corn as his neighbor who owns land, but has not enough working capital to stock it. XIII. It is a golden rule in fanning never to plant a grain crop on poor land. But if the farmer has no working cap- ital to buy stock to make manure, he can't help himself. He is compelled to raise poor crops.