7 
AQG. > 
The average receipts per acre, without any expense for harvesting, 
during the past six years, after the seed-bed had been deepened and 
put in proper condition, have ranged from $50 to $60 per acre. The 
largest yields were in 1863 and 187, seasons very favorable to wheat 
production, especially the former. The average annual expenses are 
thus summed up by the proprietor : 
IMAM DOnse Sse coco Se dee otto SOL. cienis Soe So Ge ia Cie eee 
Wselotesix HORSOS 0) 25.nc0 25. Goss Sees ote 7: SE eee ee eee 180 
Coalttor’twolmonth’s plowing so) 2 See onal. Se eee 42 
ee tae ee ec tain) ais a ea ON Cera" Doh Ae es ee 5 
Wrearand teariot ‘machinery: = j2.- 22s seme ee ote aeons se ereeecre cee a 
Wepreciation o percent. on! L1;065!, Ce See ees ses. LC eee ae 
Interestzronpericent.on) 6 06002. eccrine Sas os ee ee Sees 53 
SEeus (MALE OIOSUITOALE) ‘52 Vosicd oc cee SEER one atae alee e ee 250 
ATCA smanures, at 503. per aeres. sseee ses sae a. Jo ke oe ee 
£2, 330 
GMa UE OHPOL ACTO << 2b cctit c/s lace See ee eles wk. ble Se 900 
Rates. axes; anduincidentale22! Jute semen es getuel. <2 o[Sa se aa ea ee 220 =, 120 
2 Motaleyearly outlay it 22 22s ewer te ees cs be a baer ee £3, 450 
The total proceeds of 1870 were equivalent to $26,000 in gold, and 
for a series of years have averaged $23,000, while the net profit, after 
laying aside $4,500 in lieu of rent, is about $6,000. This is 45 per cent. 
of the gross returns. ‘The soil is in excellent tilth ; its burden of wheat 
this summer, as seen in June, was uniform and of vigorous growth, and 
it is quite evident that with judicious cultivation more than average 
crops may yet be expected in the future. The ultimate result is a sub- 
ject of conjecture with farmers, but the proprietor has no fears while he 
continues to obtain, from so little labor, not less than $50 per acre. 
This example is given, not to commend the exclusive use of fertilizers, 
hut to show the extraordinary results of deep cultivation, ample fertil- 
ization, and clean and thorough culture. There are in this country 
abundant resources for improvement of the soil without any extensive 
use of commercial fertilizers. There is required the constant exercise 
of a discriminating judgment in adapting means to ends. There are 
soils in so complete comminution and naturally possessing so fine drain- 
age that deep cultivation is unnecessary, upon which frequent and light 
surface-manuring is indicated. Let our farmers first know intimately 
the characteristics of their soils, and then apply liberally, though eco- 
nomically, the means of securing large returus from them. 
ENTOMOLOGICAL RECORD. 
By TOWNEND GLOVER, ENTOMOLOGIST. 
GRAPE-VINE BorErs.—Mr. Fred. J. Kron, of Albemarle, North Car- 
olina, in a letter to the Department, complains bitterly of the injury 
done to all varieties of grape-vines by the grape-vine borer, dgeria 
polistiformis, described and figured in former reports of the Department, 
(1854, p. 80, and 1867, p. 72.) Mr. Kron states the insect has destroyed 
for him one hundred and seven varieties of grapes, derived from the 
Luxembourg, in Paris, including some five thousand vines; and adds, 
that there is but one variety that has, so far, defied its ravages, and that 
is the seuppernong, which flourishes in the midst of the devastation 
caused by the borer, all around it. Mr. Kron likewise states that he 
