LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, 



U. kS. I)epakt3ient of Agriculture, 



Bureau of Biological Survey, 

 Washin(/ton, D. C.^ June J, 1908. 

 Sir : I have the honor to transmit the accompanying manuscript on 

 the subject of Deer Farming in the United States, and to recommend 

 its publication as Farmers' Bulletin Xo. 330. As a result of the 

 growing scarcit}^ of game animals in this country the supply of veni- 

 son is wholly inadequate to the demand, and the time seems opportune 

 for developing the industry of deer farming, which may be made 

 profitable alike to the State and the individuals engaged therein. The 

 raising of venison for market is as legitimate a business as the grow- 

 ing of beef and mutton, and State laws, when prohibitory, as many of 

 them are, should be so modified as to encourage the industry. Fur- 

 thermore, deer and elk may be raised to advantage in forests and on 

 rough, brushy ground unfitted for either agriculture or stock raising, 

 thus utilizing for profit much land that is now waste. An added 

 advantage is that the business is well adapted to landoAvners of 

 small means. 



Respectfully, C. Hart Merria3i, 



Chiefs Biological Survey. 



Hon. James Wilsox, 



Secretary of Agriculture. 



330 



(4) 



