456

U. S. Department of Agriculture,
Bureau of Animal Industry.

Washington, D. C., April 6th. 1886.

Prof. Charles E. Bessey,
University of Nebraska,
Lincoln, Nebraska,

Dear Sir:

I have received your kind favor of the 26th. ult. in regard
to your microscopial examinations fo swine-plague material
upon which Dr. Gerth bases his very positive and sweeping conclusions
in regard to this disease, I had an idea before receiving
your letter that his conclusions were given entirely on his own
authority and I am glad to have this idea confirmed by your letter.

We have recently made some important progress in the study of
swine-plague and as soon as the weather become settled, we will
be glad to accept your offer and confrim our conclusions by investigations
in your State. I think you will see why it is not advisable
in the present state of the investigation to appoint a person
who has not been connected with the investigations of the past and
who is unfamiliar with our researches to make the investigations
in Nebraska.

Very respectfully,
[T. E. Salmon?],
Chief of Bureau.