LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 



U. S. Department of Agriculture, 



Division of Forestry, 

 Washington, D. 0., June 1, 1899. 



Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a report entitled. "Notes 

 on the Forest Conditions of Porto Rico," by Mr. Robert T. Hill, of the 

 United States Geological Survey, and to recommend its publication 

 as Bulletin No. 25 of this Division.* While the report is in no sense 

 final or complete, it contains a preliminary statement sufficiently full 

 to answer the great majority of questions of immediate interest con- 

 cerning forestry in Porto Eico. It embraces the results of observations 

 made during a rapid reconnoissance through the military department 

 of Porto Rico by Mr. Hill in January, 1899, during which he became 

 familiar with its forests, and by inquiry among various persons engaged 

 in wood- working trades obtained valuable information as to the quali- 

 ties and uses of the native timbers. The report contains not only a 

 clear statement of the forest resources of Porto Rico and the extent of 

 its timber lands, but also such succinct descriptions of the physical 

 features of the island as are necessary for an understanding of its 

 forest j)roblems. 



In the study and description of specimens of the native woods, repro- 

 ductions of fifteen of which are presented in this bulletin, Mr. Hill was 

 assisted by Mr. George B. Sudworth, Dendrologist of the Division. 

 The woods are reproduced by a process by which the impressions are 

 made directly from the woods themselves. This process is herein used, 

 it is believed, for the first time. 

 Respectfully, 



GlFFORD PlNCHOT, 



Forester. 

 Hon. James Wilson, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



