LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL 
U. S. Department of Agriculture, 
Division of Entomology, 
Washington, I). C, August 25, 1898. 
Sir : I have the honor to transmit, for publication as Bulletin No. 15, 
new series, of this office, a manuscript upon the chinch bug, which lias 
been prepared at your direction and under my supervision by F. M. 
Webster, the entomologist of the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Sta- 
tion. This insect was the subject of a bulletin prepared by myself and 
published as No. 17 of the old series of this Division in 1885. Since 
that time, however, many new facts have been learned concerning the 
life history and distribution of the species, and the whole subject of 
the practical handling of its diseases has been elaborated. The chinch 
bug is one of the half dozen most destructive insects with which the 
American farmer has to contend, and requests for information about it 
are constantly received by the Department. It is therefore necessary 
that the Department should have for distribution a full and up-to-date 
bulletin such as this aims to be. Professor Webster, by virtue of his 
familiarity with this insect, gained through long and careful study in 
advantageous localities, was admirably fitted for the work, which, it 
seems to the writer, has been well done. 
Eespectfully, L. O. Howard, 
Entomologist 
Hon. James Wilson, 
Secretary of Agriculture. 
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