LETTER OE TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Bureau of Plant Industry, 



Office of the Chief, 

 Washington, D. C, July 7, 1903. 

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

 publication as Bulletin No. 49 of the series of this Bureau, the accom- 

 panying paper entitled "The Culture of the Central American Rubber 

 Tree." It is especially opportune at this time that correct information 

 should be disseminated on this subject, as interested parties have 

 spread man} T delusive reports with a view to encouraging enterprises 

 designed to exploit the rubber industry. Under these circumstances 

 accurate and reliable information should be accessible to all classes of 

 our citizens. This paper was prepared by Mr. O. F. Cook, Botanist 

 in Charge of Investigations in Tropical Agriculture, and has been sub- 

 mitted by the Botanist with a view to publication. 



The eighteen half-tone illustrations are considered necessary to a 

 complete understanding of the text of this Bulletin. 

 Respectfully, 



B. T. Galloway, 



Chief of Bureau. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



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