In the Southfarthing the vines were laden, and the yield of ‘leaf’ was astonishing; and everywhere there was so much corn that at Harvest every barn was stuffed.
– The Return of the King (Book 6), Chapter 9
The Southfarthing is the southernmost region of the Shire, and is chiefly known for its pipe-weed.
History
The Southfarthing was once a part of a hunting ground of the King of Arnor, and later Arthedain. Long deserted during the waning of the Northern Kingdom, it was granted to the Hobbits in the year T.A. 1601, along with the rest of the Shire. Thirty years later, Stoors migrating from Dunland entered the Southfarthing, with many settling there. Even in the late Third Age, many Hobbits in the Southfarthing have Stoorish traits. In T.A. 2670, the first pipe-weed was grown by Tobold Hornblower in the Southfarthing, though Bree Hobbits claim that they were the first to cultivate the leaf. Towards the end of the Third Age, spies of Saruman began to infiltrate the Southfarthing of the Shire, to investigate Gandalf’s interest in Hobbits. Shipments of pipe-weed begin to go south to Isengard.
Geography
The Southfarthing is in the south of the Shire, bordering the Westfarthing to the west and the Eastfarthing to the east (part of which follows the River Shirebourn), with the borders with the two meeting at the Three-Farthing Stone, the northernmost point of the farthing. The southern border is unclear, though they are generally accepted as being the marshes to the south, with Sarn Ford being on the road south of the Shire. The northern portion of the farthing is occupied by the Green Hill Country, a part of Tookland, though major Tookish settlements such as Tuckborough and Tookbank are in the Westfarthing. The Southfarthing is the farthing with the least named settlements, with Longbottom and Pincup the only two.
Climate
The climate of the Southfarthing is warmer than that of the rest of the Shire, with both pipe-weed and grapes being able to grow there.
Culture
The Southfarthing is known not only for its pipe-weed, varieties of which include ‘Old Toby’s’, ‘Southern Star’ and ‘Longbottom Leaf’, but also for its wine, of which ‘Old Winyards’ is one. The Southfarthing is culturally hobbitish, with plenty of eating and drinking, and a general lack of ambition.
Governance
As with the rest of the Shire, the Hobbits of the Southfarthing still consider themselves subjects of the King of Arthedain. They are technically ruled over by a Thain in place of the King, though the role has no real political power and is ceremonial. In addition, the small portion of the Southfarthing that is a part of Tookland falls under the authority of the Took Family. The Messenger Service and the Bounders both serve the Hobbits of the Southfarthing. The Southfarthing has three Shirriffs, charged with keeping the peace and protecting the borders, though unbeknownst to the Hobbits, it is the Rangers of the North who do most of the work.
Economy
The economy of the Southfarthing is mostly agricultural, be it subsistence farming or pipe-weed.
