LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Division of Entomology, 

 Washington, D. <7., October 18, 1899. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith manuscript of a prelimi- 

 nary report upon forest conditions as relating to insect work in 

 portions of the States of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho, which has 

 been prepared by Dr. A. D. Hopkins, of the West Virginia Agricul- 

 tural Experiment Station, and which is based upon observations made 

 by him under commission from this Division during April, May, and 

 June of the present } T ear. Dr. Hopkins was chosen for this work on 

 account of his great knowledge of forest insects, a subject of which 

 he has made a special stud} 7 for a number of years, his previous obser- 

 vations having been made largely in the State of West Virginia. The 

 writer considers himself fortunate in being able to secure Dr. Hopkins's 

 services for this investigation, and feels sure that the results obtained, 

 even as displayed in this preliminary report, will be of value to the 

 forest interests of the Northwest. The publication of this report as 

 Bulletin No. 21, New Series, is recommended. 



Respectfully, L. O. Howard, 



Entomologist. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



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