LETTER OF SUBMITTAL, 



Forestry Division, Department of AaRicuLTURE, 



Washington, JD. (7., Fehruari/ 28, 1889. 



Sir : I liave the honor herewith to submit for publication as a special 

 Bulletin a preliminary report by Mr. E. E. Russell Tratman, G, E., on 

 the use of metal track for railways, which gives, in concise form, informa- 

 tion in regard to the use of this substitute for timber ties in foreign 

 countries. 



This report forms a fit sequel to Bulletin No. 1, from this Division, on 

 the "Relation of Railroads to Forestry," which has found so much favor 

 witli railroad managers and engineers. 



Recognizing that the enormous drafts of the railroads on our timber 

 resources and especially on the young growth — the hope of our future 

 forestr}^ — are among the most dangerous factors in the exhaustion of 

 our timber suppl}^, it is in the interest cf forest iireservation to keep 

 railroad managers informed of the possibilities in the use of substitutes 

 and the advantages to be derived therefrom. 



TLirough the courtesy of JMr. George G. S mith, manager of the Ghicago, 

 Burlington and Quincy Railroad Gompauy, I am enabled to add, as of 

 interest to the same class of readers, an account of the highly valuable 

 experiments on seasoning of timber, undertaken by the chemist of that 

 company. 



IS^otes of interest bearing on the same line of inquiries, such as have 

 accumulated in the Division since the issue of Bulletin No. 1, have also 

 been incorporated in the present issue. 



Respectfully submitted. 



B. E. Fernow, 

 Chief of Forestry Division. 



Hon. Norman J. Golman, 



Secretary. 



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