AN EXPERIMENT IN CO-OPERATIVE FARMING.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2244, 25 November 1886, Page 3

AN EXPERIMENT IN CO-OPERA-TIVE FARMING.

We learn from the Contemporary that the experiment in co-operative fanning now being made by the Dnke of Portland on his Giingely estate is exciting considerable interest among all classes. The farm referred to, consisting of about four hundred and eighty- five acres, has been let, together witli all the stock, horses, ami implements upon it, and with all the rights of the tenant, to an association of agricultural labourers. It is chiefly arable, there, being only thirty-six acres of grass ; and the soil is a deep peat, growing good wheat, and also oats, but not barley. The terms upon which the farm is let or leased arc it is said, ? fixed rent, payable half-yearly, the tenant-right has been valued by parties mutually chosen, and three per cent, is to be charged on the amount, to bo paid half-yearly with the rent. The horses, stock, and implements left, upon the farm have also been valued by the same valuers, and three per cent, is to be eh u'treil thereon. The tenantriuht, the stock, and implements are at all times to be kept up after a style of good husbandry, and the landlord, his agent, or servants are to have every facility shown them to ascertain tha*; the capital is being in no way deteriorated The shooting is not let with the farm. The agreement is one usually in foiceon the Duke's estate, but it has been found nece»sary, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, to enter into a subsidiary agreement giving power to resume possession at any time, and this document will necessarily come under the BUs of Sale Act. The amount of the valuation is said to be £2431 10. The faun buildings are in good order, and sufficient for the requirements of the faun. The live stock on the farm has been valued, as also the, farming implements and general stock, including sufficient seed-curn. There are four houses on the farm ; but in order to meet the requirement of the six men aud their families, two of the houses have been divided, and other alterations may also be made. A deed of partnership is beiner drawn up amongst the men, which shall be in" force for seven years. Each man is to receive a wage of four pounds a mouth; accounts are to be balanced yearly ; and after the rent, interest, and all other charges are reduced, the remainder is to be paid over towards reducing the amount of the valuation.

A Pauper Daughter of George IV. — At a meeting of the Cambenvell Board of Guardians, on Wednesday, an elderly woman of respectable appearance, but poorly clad, attended before the guardians and applied for outdoor relief. She gave her name as Caroline Guelph, aud claimed to be a daughter of King George IV. It was resolved to grant the applicant some relief. A few years ago, when a Scottish candidate was canvassing his constituency, he called at the house of an aged couple. Finding the old woman alone, he entered into conversation with her, and asked her to use her influence' in getting her husband to vote for him. While they were conversing, the would-be M.P. noticed a kitten amusing itself on the floor, and, taking it up, praised its beauty and offered her five pounds for it. The bargain was struck ; and, on leaving, he again expressed the hope that she would secure her husband's vote for him. " Weel, sir," answered the woman, "as I said afore, John's a man o' his am mind, and just does what strioks his am noddle ; but, at ony rate, sir, you've gotten a rale cheap kitten, for yer opponent was in nae farer gane than yesterday, an' gae me ten pounds for its brither."' The Earnings of Jockeys.— A correspondent writes : — Early in the year the question of the inoome of a successful jockey was raised. The surveyor of incume taxes for Newmarket assessed Archer at 10,000/. a year; but that gentleman at once resented the charge. It cannot, however, have been much over the mark. It has been announced officially that Watts is to receive for three years to come a retainer of 5,000/. a year from Mr Baird, who races as Mr Abingdou For this the owner is not to have sole claim on the services of the jockey in question. On the contrary, another owner is before him, and he cau only have Watts' semr'e> when the first claimant does not require th' m, l i-^taiiiPr like this by no m^ans represents the chivf sourw of a jockoy'a income,