LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Bureau of Plant Industry, 



Office of the Chief, 

 Washington, D. C, July 11, 1908. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a manuscript entitled 

 " Orchard Fruits in the Piedmont and Blue Ridge Regions of Virginia 

 and the South Atlantic States" and to recommend that it be published 

 as Bulletin No. 135 of the series of this Bureau. This bulletin was 

 prepared by Mr. H. P. Gould, Pomologist in Charge of Fruit District 

 Investigations, and has been submitted by Mr. William A. Taylor, 

 Pomologist in Charge of Field Investigations in Pomology, with a 

 view to its publication. 



The fruit-growing interests in these regions have attained consider- 

 able importance, though their pomological resources are compara- 

 tively undeveloped at the present time. This is especially the case 

 in the mountain region where there exist extensive sections which are 

 doubtless of greater value for fruit growing than for any other agricul- 

 tural purpose. 



The determination of the behavior of varieties of orchard fruits 

 under definitely stated conditions as here set forth is believed to be of 

 value in guiding the planting of varieties in the further development 

 of the fruit-growing industry of these regions. Xew orchards are 

 constantly being planted, and their success or failure is in a large 

 degree dependent upon the selection of varieties adapted to the con- 

 ditions under which they are to be grown and suitable for the pur- 

 poses for which they are desired. In the Blue Ridge region, where 

 conditions of orcharding are very variable, due to differences in eleva- 

 tion and soil, very careful discrimination is of special importance in 

 selecting varieties for planting. While the information here supplied 

 will doubtless prove of value to prospective planters of orchards who 

 already reside in these regions, it is expected that its greatest usefulness 

 will be to those who are unfamiliar with the conditions, but who may 

 be attracted to these sections by the opportunities which they offer 

 for fruit growing. 



Respectfully, 



B. T. Galloway, 



Chief of Bureau. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



135 Q 



