lating surface, free from rocks, reasonably fertile, with abundant under- 

 lying deposit of marl. Prices have declined somewhat since 1870. A 

 red-clay soil yields 20 bushels of wheat, 40 bushels of corn, and from 1^ 

 to 2 tons of hay ; a heavy white-clay, 15 bushels of wheat and IJ tons 

 of hay ; and a yellow soil is found to be especially adapted to fruits. 

 One-sixth of these lands, mostly unimproved, could be bought at $15. 



Caroline and Talbot come next on the south, separated by the Tuck- 

 ahoe. Talbot is on the Chesapeake, and the Choptank separates it from 

 Dorchester on the south. Three-fourths of the lands of Caroline could 

 be purchased at prices ranging from $10 to $100. The tracts are not 

 offered in parcels, and purchasers are mostly from Pennsylvania and 

 Vermont. Mr. Howes Goldsborough says a red-clay soil, which is easily 

 improved, has produced 60 bushels of wheat per acre. Improved farms 

 range in value from $20 to $125 per acre. Dorchester has a clay-loam 

 soil, light in one section and stiff in another, productive with judicious 

 fertilizing. Prices of farms range from $10 to $50 per acre. Three- 

 fifths of the lands of Worcester, which are very similar to the above, 

 are for sale at $3 to $25 per acre. One-fourth of the farms of Somerset 

 are for sale at $5 to $10. Mr. G. W. Parsons thus writes concerning 

 Wicomico : 



From observation and inquiry, I conclude the average cash-value of farm-lands in 

 this county to be $11 per acre, against |15 in 1870. Average value of vpild and unim- 

 proved lands, $9; in 1870, $12. Lands have depreciated fully one-half since 1867, and 

 nearly one-third since 1870. There are many varieties of soil in this county. Along, 

 the Nanticoke River, on the northwest, for from one to three miles, the land is sandy, 

 and gradually changes to yellow clay and loam, with stretches of black soils or "jeavan- 

 nas" at intervals, running down to the many creeks which are tributary to the Nan- 

 ticoke. This river, with the creeks and Wicomico Eiver, are bordered with marshes, 

 which furnish good pasturage. The sands produce splendid watermelons and corn ; 

 the clays, wheat and corn, with clover ; and the black lands, corn, oats, andclover. The 

 central portion of the county is light sand, sand and clay, and loam ; brings corn, truck, 

 small fruits, peaches, and, though naturally the poorest, is the most profitable portion of 

 our land. The eastward portion of the county, bordering along the Pocomoke River, is 

 black swamp-land ; brings excellent crops of corn and oats, and in many localities 

 clover and other grasses. Requires drainage and lime to make it produce splendidly. 

 Perhaps one-half the land in this county is for sale. Farmers have made the mistake 

 of holding too large farms. They are tindiug it out, and are disposed to farm only 

 what they can do well. The prices of land will vary as to soil and location and 

 quality of timber. Good-timbered land is valuable when located near water-course or 

 railroad, and will vary from $20 to $50 per acre. Farms, partly under cultivation and 

 part wild, vary from $5 to $20 per acre in the country, while within three miles of this 

 town farm-lands sell, according to size of tract, from $20 to $150 per acre. 



FACTS FROM VARIOUS SOURCES. 



Frauds in the Jersey-cattle trade. — Henry Fox, esq.. United 

 States consul at Plymouth, England, whose jurisdiction includes the 

 island of Jersey, transmits to the Department of Agriculture a letter 

 from Charles P. Le Cornu, vice-president of the Royal Jersey Agricultu- 

 ral and Horticultural Society, inclosing the following extract of the 

 proceedings of that society at its session of May 15, 1875 : 



The secretary having read to the meeting a letter from Mr. N. Pike, of Winthrop' 

 Kennebec County, State of Maine, United States of America, as well as the Augusta 

 Maine Farmer of April 17, 1875, in which it is reported that 3,000 cattle are annually 

 sent from this island to the United States of America ; it was proposed by E. Nicolle, 

 esq., seconded by A. Le Gallois, esq., and 



Resolved unanimoushj, That a representation be transmitted by the president of this 



