LEHER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department op Agricultxjre, 



Division of Forestry, 

 Washington, D. C, February 1, 1893. 



Sir : I have the honor herewith to submit for publication a " Progress Eeport" on investigations 

 undertaken by this Division into tlie nature of our important woods, being the second of a series of 

 bulletins on Timber Physics. It contains the results of tests for strength made on the long-leaf 

 pine collected in Alabama and a comparative study by Prof. J. B. Johnson of the various exhibi- 

 tions of strength as related to each other and as dependent on certain conditions of the test 

 specimens. 



I woiUd call especial attention to the comparison of bled and unbled timber, which is accom- 

 panied by a study into the chemical conditions of this timber by Mr. M. Gomberg. An account 

 of the general characteristics of the timber of long-leaf pine and of the geographical distribution 

 of the species and a brief recapitulation of the methods pursued in this work are added. 

 Respectfully, 



B. E. Fernow, 



Chief. 

 Hon. J. M. Rttsk, 



Secretary. 



m 



