urn. Land might be let
at a fixed rent when the Code enacted that accidental loss fell on the
tenant. If let on share-profit, the landlord and tenant shared the loss
proportionately to their stipulated share of profit. If the tenant paid his
rent and left the land in good tilth, the landlord could not interfere nor
forbid subletting. Waste land was let to reclaim, the tenant being rent
free for three years and paying a stipulated rent in the fourth year. If
the tenant neglected to reclaim the land the Code enacted that he must hand
it over in good faith and fixed a statutory rent. Gardens or plantations
were let in the same ways and under the same conditions; but for
date-groves four years' free tenure was allowed. The metayer system was in
vogue, especially on temple lands. The landlord found land, labour, oxen
for ploughing and working the watering-machines, carting, threshing or
other implements, seed corn, rations for the workmen and fodder for the
cattle. The tenant, or steward, usually had other land of his own. If he
stole the seed, rations or fodder, the Code enacted that his fingers should
be cut off. If he appropriated or sold the implements, impoverished or
sublet the cattle, he was heavily fined and in default of payment might be
condemned to be torn to pieces by the cattle on the field. Rent was as
contracted.

Irrigation was indispensable. If the irrigator neglected to repair his
dyke, or left his runnel open and caused a flood, he had to make good the
damage done to his neighbours' crops, or be sold with his family to pay the
cost. The theft of a watering-machine, water-bucket or other agricultural
implement was heavily fined.

Houses were let usually for the year, but also for longer terms, rent being
paid in advance, half-yearly. The contract generally specified that the
house was in good repair, and the tenant was bound to keep it so. The
woodwork, including doors and door frames, was removable, and the tenant
might bring and take away his own. The Code enacted that if the landlord
would re-enter before the term was up, he must remit a fair proportion of
the rent. Land was leased for houses or other buildings to be built upon
it, the tenant being rent-free for eight or ten years; after which the
building came into the landlord's possession.

Despite the multitude of slaves, hired labour was often needed, especially
at harvest. This was matter of contract, and the hirer, [v.03 p.0118] who
usually paid