CO-OPERATIVE FARMING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1509, 17 March 1887, Page 3

CO-OPERATIVE FARMING.

Some little time ago we referred to an experiment m agriculture m the Old Country which, as an entirely new departure, seemed to us to be of peculiar interest, as, m the event of its proving successful, not unlikely to lead to very important results m connection with the solution of the problem " How to make farming pay ? " This was the introduction of the cooperative system which m matters mercantile has already been operated with the most marked success. In noticing the | fact of a large farm having been leased ! to a number of laborers to be worked by them as an Association, with participation m the profits m proportion to the labor contributed by each, we remarked that the isolated experiment under notice would not improbably lead to others of the same sort, and that the successful working out of a series of such experiments might lead to the most important results. The case then under notice was that of a co-operative farm on the estate of the Duke of Portland, m Nottinghamshire, but is not the first experiment of the kind, as we now learn from the " Mark Lane Express " that a Mr Bolton King had led the way m this direction, we think m Lancashire, some time pre viously, but with what results is not stated. Some very interesting particulars are, however, given by that journal as to the case which was the bubject of the article above referred to, and which will no doubt be acceptable to our readers. The firm which is the theatre of the experiment is situated m the parish of Gringley or Mist2rton, and consists of 485 acres, mainly arable, there being only 36 acres of grass. The soil is a deep peat, and grows firstrale wheat for seed, and good oats, but not barley. Roots, and especially mangels, also do fairly well upon it. His Grace has let this farm to six agricultural laborers on the following terms : — " The rent was fixed at to be paid half yearly, the tenants paying all taxes and rates except the Everton drainage rate, the property tax, and, it is to be presumed, the land tax if that be not redeemed. The tenant-right on the farm was to be valued by vnluers, and on the amount so arrived at 3 per cent, was to be charged and paid a\ the same time as the rent. There were at the time, horses, stock, and implements on the farm sufficient to work it, and these were to be valued m the same way a i . the tenant-right, and charged at interest similarly to the tenant -right. The valua lion wns finished only very recently, and the valuers up to this time have not sent m their award ; but as the men were anxious to begin work ihey were let into possession of the farm on an agreement by the m to stand by the fi^vr.-s of the valuation. It is arranged that the tenements, stock, and implements shall at all times be kept m good order, and the Duke reserves the right to have the farm inspected at any time to see that there is no deterioration. He also reserves power to resume possession at any lime, m order that he may protect himself against the possible loss of a large amount oi his property left m charge of the tenants. The shooting is reserved by the landlord, though, of course, the inalienable right to kill ground game rests with the occupiers. It is said that all the farm buildings are good, and some of them quite new, the whole being amply sufficient for the requirements of the stock which the farm can carry. All the carts and implements formerly used m the working of the farm have been handed over under the valuation. The stock consisted of 70 head of beasts and calves, between 60 and 70 ewes with lambs, and 10 carthorses, all good and useful. Further, the men were supplied with corn for the spring sowing, and, at their request, and to help them to meet their immediate wants, m order that their little store of lunds may not be heavily drawn upon, 70 quarters of oats were left m store by the Duke, and valued to them with the stock and tenantright. The fix'ures on the farm have also been valued to the tenants m a similar way." How the working capital beyond that required for live and dead stockand valuation is to be provided is not stated. As between the tenants themselves, "a deed of partnership has been drawn up, to be m force for seven years. Under this agreement each man is to be paid £4 a month as wages, and at the end of the year the acconnts are to be balanced, and, after payment of rent and interest due to the Duke, and 5 per cent, on any capital brought into the business by any of the partners, the balance is to go m reduction of the amount of the valuation above mentioned. They will have no house rent to pay, ss there is sufficient house accommodation on the farm for all the men and their families." The journal from which the foregoing particulars are quoted further says : — " 'I he rule is that the straw and manure on a farm belong to the landlord; but to encourage the men always to keep a good supply of straw and manure on the fairn, and as an inducement also, to farm well, the ordinary rule m this case has not been accepted, and the straw and manure have been vested m the men. The result will be to leave their hands free to deal with their produce, and when they leave they will have an increased tenant right." Supposing that the men are able to command sufficient capital to carry on their business, the " Express " considers that they start with many advantages m their favor. It regards co-operative farming as possessing many advantages over the small farm system, at least so far as the cultivation of ordinary farm crops is concerned, and concludes a very interesting article by expressing the hope, m which all who wish well to the English agricultural laborer will heartily join, that the new departure initiated by Mr Bolton King and the Duke of Portland may prove entirely successful,