LETTER OE TRANSMITTAL, 



XJ. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Division of Publications, 



■ Washington, D. C\, June 3, 1898. 



Sir: a frequent demand for information regarding the origin and 

 development of the Department of Agriculture led to the compilation 

 of the accompanying historical sketch. The compiler, Mr. 0. H. Great- 

 house, of this Division, was instructed to follow as closely as possible, 

 in the selection of subjects mentioned, the annual reports of the several 

 Commissioners and Secretaries, prominence being given to those fea- 

 tures of the work of the several administrations which the administra- 

 tors themselves seem to have regarded as specially worthy of attention. 



This historical sketch has been supplemented with a statement of the 

 origin and duties of the several bureaus, divisions, and offices of the 

 Department, in which the several chiefs have concurred, and by cita- 

 tions from the several laws under which the Department has attained 

 its present stage of development. 



The sketch has already been published as Bulletin No. 3 of this Divi- 

 sion, the original manuscript therefor having been submitted February 

 28, 1898. The first edition is already exhausted, and, inasmuch as the 

 dematid for it continues, a reprint is rendered necessary. Advantage 

 has b^en taken of the opportunity thus afforded to make some slight 

 additions and emendations in the text. Hence the reprint as a " revised 

 editioft^' is recommended. 



Eespectfully, Geo. Wm. Hill, 



Chief. 



Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary. 





7 



