340 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



seen much grown by others. The first requisite was good seed. 

 He had made considerable effort to ascertain the comparative 

 value of the Mediterranean variety, and from all accounts it ap- 

 pears that this had generally escaped the attack of insects, but 

 not always. He had accounts from a few localities where the 

 midge, or clear- winged fly had preyed indiscriminately upon all 

 varieties. This was to be expected; indeed this species of insect 

 was quite as apt to attack early as later grain. But, every- 

 thing considered, the Mediterranean is decidedly superior to all 

 others. He further remarked, upon the importance of saving 

 large, plump seed, in order to furnish sustenance to the first 

 germs and roots, and give them a vigorous start; upon manuring 

 with clover, plowing it under Avhen in blow, and not disturbing 

 it with the plow afterward, but to stir the surface well with a 

 heavy, sharp harrow or cultivator; upon plowing in all kinds of 

 manures, especially guano, as soon as possible, so that they may 

 become mingled with the soil before the seed is sown. A remark 

 that ammonia, or manures containing large quantities of this ele- 

 ment, such as guano, urine, &c., were the only profitable manures 

 for wheat, called up the phosphoric acid advocates. 



Prof. Mapes referred to the fact that as soon as the wheat plant 

 touches the cold soil beneath, it ceases to " tiller." As to the 

 question of manures, (said the Professor,) I will mention two in- 

 cidents. When the National Agricultural Society held its meet- 

 ing at Washington City, George Washington Custis, the adopted 

 son of General Washington, stated that he was owner of the Ar- 

 lington estate, containing some 5,000 acres of land, and several 

 hundred negroes. For several years he had found it necessary, 

 in order to pay his own expenses, and those of his iamily, (in- 

 cluding the negroes,) to mortgage the estate. He had an analy- 

 sis made of his soil, with a view to ascertain its deficiencies for a 

 wheat crop, and under proper instructions he had those deficien- 

 cies supplied; and "now," said he, "gentlemen, I can say in- 

 stead of mortgaging my estate, I am continually lessening the 

 mortgages I had previously obtained, and this year I have ten 

 thousand bushels of wheat for the miller, while until the analy- 

 sis was made I never was able to sell a single bushel of wheat 

 above what was used for the hands." Mr. John Jones, of Dela- 

 ware, the largest wheat-grower within 200 miles of Washington, 

 said he bought a favm for $10 an acre, which he agreed to pay in 

 small installments, and on a very long mortgage— the owner be- 

 ing glad to sell at that low price and on those easy terms. When 



