"The Code Of Hammurabi" - читать интересную книгу автора (Johns Rev Claude Hermann Walter)

Landowners frequently cultivated their land themselves but might
employ a husbandman or let it. The husbandman was bound to carry out
the proper cultivation, raise an average crop and leave the field in
good tilth. In case the crop failed the Code fixed a statutory return.
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 tilth 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, who
usually paid in advance, might demand a guarantee to fulfil the
engagement. Cattle were hired for ploughing, working the
watering-machines, carting, threshing, etc. The Code fixed a statutory
wage for sowers, ox-drivers, field-labourers, and hire for oxen,
asses, &c.
There were many herds and flocks. The flocks were committed to a
shepherd who gave receipt for them and took them out to pasture. The
Code fixed him a wage. He was responsible for all care, must restore