LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, 
BuREAU OF CHEMISTRY, 
Washington, D. C., November 12, 1901. 
Sir: The use of insecticides and fungicides has become almost indis- 
pensable to the farmer and fruit grower throughout the whole coun- 
try. Immense quantities of these bodies are manufactured and placed 
upon the market, and without doubt the greater part of them meet the 
claims of the manufacturers. There are some instances, however, on 
record where the materials which are sold are not of sufficiently high 
standard to warrant their purchase, and to this extent commerce in 
them is to be discouraged. 
This Bureau has undertaken, in connection with the Division of 
Entomology, a somewhat elaborate study of the insecticides found in 
the American markets. The object has been to obtain, if possible, sam- 
ples of every kind of insecticide and fungicide offered for sale. The 
detailed chemical study of these bodies does not interest particularly 
the farmer and horticulturist, and the publication of matters of this 
kind, except a statement of the chemical composition of the samples 
examined, will be left for a more technical bulletin. There are many 
points, however, which have come out in the work which seem to be 
of great public interest and to merit publication in the form of a pop- 
ular bulletin. It is with this view that the data which follow are 
offered to the public. There is no purpose in our work to interfere 
with a legitimate business, but it seems only proper that merchants, 
as well as purchasers, be acquainted with the real character of the 
goods in which they deal. It is probable that many of the manufac- 
turers of so-called insecticides and fungicides are themselves not aware 
of the poor quality, sometimes almost uselessness, of the materials 
which they offer for sale. Information which will be beneficial both 
to the manufacturer and user of these articles will prove valuable. 
The investigation has been confided to Mr. J. K. Haywood, who 
has prepared the bulletin now offered, the publication of which asa 
Farmers’ Bulletin is respectfully recommended. 
Very respectfully, 
H. W. Wutey, Chief of Bureau. 
Fon. JAMES WILson, 
Secretary. 
