LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agbiculture, 



Division of Agrostology, 

 Washington, I). C, April 23, 1898. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith, and recommend for 

 publication as Bnlletin Xo.l2of this Division, a report upon the grasses 

 and forage plants and forage conditions of the eastern Rocky Moun- 

 tain region, by Thomas A. Williams, assistant agrostologist. Field 

 agents of the division have been carrying on investigations in the region 

 embraced in this report during the past three years, and Mr. Williams, 

 of tbe division staff, has visited, during the seasons of 1S96 and 1897, 

 the more important grazing districts, where, under the direction of the 

 Agrostologist, he has studied the present forage problems of the region 

 and investigated the native grasses and forage i)lants, noting their 

 characteristics, distribution, general prevalence, and economic impor- 

 tance; he has endeavored to ascertain how the most desirable sorts 

 may be preserved or increased, and has also made close personal obser- 

 vations with the view of determining some practical means of restoring 

 the ranges to their original grazing value, or at least preserving them 

 from further injury through careless and short-sighted practices. The 

 present report is based upon these studies and investigations, as well 

 as upon the results of work done by the field agents of the division. 

 While carrying on these investigations the work of the field agents 

 has not been confined to the districts easily accessible from the rail- 

 roads and other common lines of travel, but, by means of wagon trips and 

 side excursions on horseback, they have penetrated into the less-known 

 localities, in every case making extensive collections of specimens and 

 seeds, as well as obtaining all the data possible relating to the question 

 of forage supply. One field agent thus covered nearly 1,(100 miles in a 

 wagon trip of two months during the past season. (See fig. 1.) There 

 has also been included much valuable information acquired through 

 correspondence with i)rominent citizens and leading stockmen, who 

 have most cordially resi)onded to letters of inquiry relative to the 

 matters in question and materially aided the Department in the prose- 

 cution of these grass and forage-plant investigations. Hearty thanks 

 are here expressed to all those correspondents who have thus cooper- 

 ated in the work of the division. 



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