INTEODUOTOKY NOTE. 



In 1897 the legislature of "Wisconsin passed an act for the ap- 

 pointment of a State Forestry Oommission, charged, among other 

 duties, with that of formulating desirable forestry legislation for 

 the State. The Commission consists of Hon. G. B. Burrows, 

 Madison; Ernst Bruncken, Milwaukee; and H. D. Putnam, Eau 

 Claire. This Commission consulted with Dr. B. E. Femow. 

 Chief of the Division of Forestry, United States Department of 

 Agriculture, who advised that a careful reconnaissance be made 

 of the present condition of the forests of the State. The Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture offered to send an expert to make such ex- 

 amination, provided the expenses of the trip could be defrayed 

 hy the State. Since the Forestry Commission had no appropria- 

 tion for this purpose, application was made to the Geological and 

 Natural History Survey for an appropriation of money sufficient 

 to defray the expenses of the proposed investigation, and the Sur- 

 vey gladly acceded to the request. Pursuant to this action the 

 Department of Agriculture appointed Mr. Filibert Roth as spe- 

 cial agent to make the reconnaissance desired, under the general 

 ■direction of Dr. Femow, Chief of Divisioji of Forestry. Mr. 

 Eoth spent three months in the field and prepared the accom- 

 panying report. The report was first submitted to the Depart- 

 ment of Agriculture at "Washington, by which it has been pub- 

 lished as a bulletin, and a oopy was transmitted to the Director 

 of the Geological Survey, with the accompanying letter from 

 the Secretary of Agriculture. 



United States Departnient of Agriculture, 



Ofiioe of the Secretary, 

 "Washington, D. C, February 28, 1898. 

 De. E. a. Biege, 



Director, State Geological Survey, 

 Madison, Wis. 

 Dear Sir: — I take pleasure in transmitting to you for such use 

 as you may desire to make of it, a report on the forest conditions 



