N +-----------------------------+ | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | |----+----+----+----+----+----| | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |----+----+----+----+----+----| W | 18 | 17 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 13 | E |----+----+----+----+----+----| | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | |----+----+----+----+----+----| | 30 | 29 | 28 | 27 | 26 | 25 | |----+----+----+----+----+----| | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | +-----------------------------+ S Each quarter section is referred to as the northeast or southwest quarter of the section, and each forty acres as the northwest or southeast quarter of a particular quarter. For example, an eighty-acre field may be referred to as the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 3, Township 5 North, Range 3, west of ----. Base line and meridian, or in some cases merely the meridian is mentioned. The curvature of the earth's surface makes it impossible for the sides of townships to be truly north and south and at the same time six miles square. The excesses and the deficiencies due to the convergency of meridians and the curvature of the earth are by law added to or deducted from the western and northern ranges of sections and half sections of the townships. While the above has been the rule in laying out public lands for more than a century, there are many exceptions, due to many causes. In the older settled sections the land was laid out in lots, often in a very irregular manner, although in some cases within a given tract the area was more or less regular. In these cases, the land must be described minutely and carefully by metes and bounds. In some of the southern and western states, also, where there were Spanish grants, much irregularity in the surveys exists. Over much of the north Central states this rectangular system of laying out lands obtains and has worked well in most respects. THE LANDLORD AND TENANT Leases of real estate follow the same procedure as deeds, except that a verbal lease, if for a term of not to exceed one year, is valid in most states. A written lease should be carefully drawn, because, according to common law, there are few things implied in a lease that are not stated. Definite statement concerning repairs and insurance is desirable. A tenant should also acquaint himself with the law of the state concerning the surrender of the farm upon the expiration of his term. It is the duty of the tenant not only to guard the property, but to conduct the farm in a husbandlike manner. Unless otherwise stated in the contract, the tenant must pursue those methods of husbandry which are customary in the vicinity. THE RELATION OF THE FARMER TO HIS WORKMEN