LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture. 



Bureau of Plant Industry. 



Office of the Chief. 

 Washington,' D. C October 17. 1903. 



Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith and to recommend for 

 publication as Bulletin No. 54 of the series of this Bureau the accom- 

 panying paper entitled "Persian Gulf Dates and Their Introduction 

 into America." 



This paper was prepared by Mr. D. G. Fairchild. Agricultural 

 Explorer, and has been submitted by the Botanist in Charge of Seed 

 and Plant Introduction and Distribution with a view to publication. 



The information contained in this bulletin and a collection of young 

 date palms which were imported and are now growing in the Govern- 

 ment date orchards in Arizona form another of the many generous 

 gifts which Mr. Barbour Lathrop. of Chicago, has made to the Ameri- 

 can people. 



The four half-tone plates are essential for the purposes of this 

 bulletin. 



Respectfully. B. T. Galloway. 



Chief of Bureau. 



Hon. James Wilson. 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



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