LETTER OF TRANSMHTAL 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Division op Entomology, 

 Washington, D. C, July i, 1901. 

 Sir: I tninsiiiit herewith the manuscript of a report by Dr. A. D. 

 Hopkins, entomologist of the West Virginia Agi-icultural Experiment 

 Station, on a trip taken in tlie summer of 1900, under the auspices of 

 this Division, to the spruce-growing region in New England, for tlie 

 purpose of investigating damage done by insects. The attention of 

 tlie Department was called to a serious trouble affecting the spi'uce 

 trees, in March, 11)00, and Dr. Hopkins was chosen for the investiga- 

 tion for the reason that he has studied forest insects for many years 

 and is generally known as the leading forest entomologist of the 

 country. His i-eport indicates that he was not onl}' able to determine 

 the cause of the difficulty, but to suggest practical measures of relief. 

 I recommend that it be published as Bulletin No. 28, new series, of 

 the Division of Entomology. 



Respectfully, L. O. Howard, 



Entomoloyist. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Ayriculture. 



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