LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Bureau of Plant Industry, 



Office of the Chief, 

 Washington, D. C, March 20, 1911. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript entitled 

 "Agriculture in the Central Part of the Semiarid Portion of the 

 Great Plains," and to recommend that it be published as Bulletin 

 No. 215 of the series of this Bureau. This manuscript was prepared 

 by Dr. J. A. Warren, Assistant Agriculturist, under the direction of 

 the Agriculturist in Charge of the Oflice of Farm Management, of 

 this Bureau, who for a number of years past has been studying the 

 management of "dry farms" and the problems confronting the 

 farmers of the region, besides having had some previous practical 

 experience there. The author wishes to acknowledge his indebted- 

 ness to Mr. J. E. Payne, superintendent of the experiment station 

 at Akron, Colo. ; Prof. W. P. Snyder, superintendent, and Mr. W. W. 

 Burr, assistant, of the substation at North Platte, Nebr., each of whom 

 has read the manuscript and offered valuable suggestions. 



For some time prospective settlers have made a strong demand 

 upon the Department for reliable information concerning tliis region. 

 There has also been a strong demand from persons already located 

 there for suggestions for the better management of their lands. This 

 manuscript is intended to fill the former want and in a measure also 

 the latter. 



Respectfully, 



Wm. a. Taylor, 



Acting Chief of Bureau. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



