LEITER OF TRANSMHTAL. 



Department of the Interior, 



Washington, Decemher 13, 1901. 

 Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter from the Director 

 of the Geological Survey, submitting brief reports on the topogra- 

 and geology of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, by Arthur 

 .eith, and on the hydrograijhy of the same region, by H. A. Pressey 

 and E. W. Myers, of the Geological Survey, for use in connection 

 with your report on the forest conditions of the region. 

 Very respectfully, 



E. A. Hitchcock, 



Secretary. 



The Secretary of Agriculture. 



LETTER OF SUBMITTAL. 



Department of the Interior, 

 United States Geological Survey, 



Washmgto7i, D. 6'., December 12, 1901. 



Sir: I send herewith for submittal to the Secretary of Agriculture, 

 short reports on the topography and geology of the Southern Appala- 

 chian Mountains, by Arthur Keith, and on the hj'drography of the 

 same region, by H. A. Pressey and E. W. Myers, of the Geological 

 Survey. 



These special reports, embodying the results of investigations in 

 this region, extending over several years, have been prepared at the 

 request of the Secretary of Agriculture, and will accompany his re- 

 port to Congress on the forest conditions in the Southern Appalachian 

 region. 



The results of the investigations made in this region show that the 

 destruction of the mountain forests now in progress there is being 

 followed by a consequent erosion of the mountain slopes and valleys, 

 an increasing irregularity in the How of streams, and a silting up of 

 the river channels across the lowlands of the bordering States, which 

 if continued will seriously and permanentl}' injure the industrial con- 

 ditions over considerable portions of these States. 

 Yours, respectfully, 



Chas. D. Walcott, 



Director. 



The Secretary of the Interior. 



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