The article gives the analysis of the economic life in the Teplovsky estate of I.I. Vorontsov-Dashkov in the 1880-1890s. On the basis of the archival materials the author examines the issues of crop rotation, differentiation of growing cultures, profitability of husbandry. The conclusion is made concerning the efficient transfer of the estate from socage and quitrent economy to a big agricultural enterprise of the Lower Volga region.