LEHER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Division of Forestry, 

 Waslmigton, D. C, June 28^ 1898, 



Sir: I have the "honor to submit herewith for publication a bulletin 

 on Systematic Plant Introduction, prepared by Mr. David Gr. Fairchild, 

 agent of the Division of Forestry. 



When it was your desire to have the available material for forest 

 plantations in the arid and subarid regions increased by importations 

 from foreign countries I had the honor to submit a plan by which these 

 importations could be systematically undertaken with an expectation 

 of success. 



This plan contemplated the employment of a comi^etent si^ecial 

 agent who should study the varying climatic conditions of our country 

 as well as of other countries, and then travel over the latter studying 

 their flora of trees and shrubs, and finally secure plant material to be 

 assembled in a number of arboreta established in the various sections 

 of our arid regions and tested for its adaptability before using it in the 

 field at large. 



It was expected that in this way, within a few years at least, the 

 basis for finding the most suitable plant material might be laid in a 

 unique collection of all the arid-region plants. 



Mr. Fairchild, then traveling in Australia and the Pacific islands, 

 wiio by his studies at home and in foreign countries was peculiarly 

 fitted for the task, was appointed to carry out this plan. It was, how- 

 ever, soon recognized that the same systematic methods of plant intro- 

 duction were desirable and applicable in the case of all importations 

 of exotic plants, and Mr. Fairchild's activity was soon broadened to 

 comi)rise the entiie field of importations. In fact, the imi)ortations 

 from Russia, which had been made before a systematic plan had been 

 matured, required Mr. Fairchild's full attention at oncej the original 

 plan, which contem})lated only material for forest purposes, sank into 

 the background, and Mr. Fairchild is now about to discontinue his con- 

 nection with this Division to assume the wider functions. 



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