4 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



chestnuts, and date palms, and to engage in tlie manufacture of 

 banana and chestnut flour. Such a scheme, Mr. Nelson tells me, could 

 only result in failure, as the islands are entirely unsnited to growing 

 these products. It therefore seems desirable to publish at once all the 

 information in the possession of the Department, for the purpose of 

 making it available to those who may be interested in the islands or 

 their products. 



Respectfully, 



C. Hart Merriam, 



Chief, Biological ISurvey. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of AijricuUurc. 



