ant 
\ 
Bie odor of the wood; and ars aipitna tian of ‘vente from the 
b a and twigs may beconie a matter of aie yah 
a _ketable feasiuaity “Much intent is now felt 3 in sia pr mcanidetets and 
‘ the demand for plants, formerly wholly supplied by the Department, 
~ is now fully met by nurserymen, who propagate the plants for sale. 
- The successful culture of the European grape has -hitherto been 
limited to regions west of the Rocky Mountains and mainly near the 
_ Pacific coast line. Of late years vineyardists in Texas and Florida 
have been encouraged from the results of experiments made to enter 
F more largely into the culture of the foreign grape. The Department 
r has therefore propagated and has now ready for distribution a con: 
_ siderable number of plants of the best varieties of these grapes, with 
P a view to render these experimental tests more general throughout 
the regions alluded to. 
E The demand for tropical and semi-tropical plants for experiment, 
; in the warmest portions of the Southern States increases with the 
population. Kspecially is this applicable to Florida, whence ap- 
‘plications for numerous strictly tropical species are constantly re- 
ceived. The Department endeavors to meet all reasonable demands 
in this line, and has under process of propagation various plants 
which may ultimately prove useful in that State. 
Et DIVISION OF ECONOMIC ORNITHOLOGY AND MAMMALOGY. 
_ The work of this division during the past year, as heretofore, has 
consisted chiefly in the collection of facts showing the relation of 
_ birds and mammals to agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, and in 
_ the preparation for publication of two important bulletins, namely, 
(1) on the English sparrow, and (2) on bird migration in the Missis- 
sippi Valley. The general interest in these bulletins is shown by 
_ hundreds of applications for them received at the Department in ad- 
vance of their publication. 
~ As stated in my Annual Report for 1886, circulars and schedules 
asking for information in regard to the English sparrow were distrib- 
uted by the division in 1885 and 1886. Replies were received from 
more than 3,000 Pons: The information contained in these replies 
a been arranged for publication under seven different heads, as 
follows: 
/ (1) Time and manner of first appearance of the English sparrow: 
present abundance and apparent rate of increase; kind and degree of 
assistance and protection afforded or withheld by man. 
(2) Relation of the sparrow to other birds. 
(3) Injury to trees or vines. 
