Ornamental Planting: Pampas Grass, Arundo 

 Conspicua and Donax. 



This being tlie best season for the planting of the above ornamental 

 plants, a few words in their favour may prove interesting. The pampas 

 grass is perhaps the most useful and effective plant for introducing 

 extensively in wild coverts, with the twofold object of game 

 cover and ornament; it succeeds well here (Longieat), and gives 

 a highly ornamental aspect to the woods in autumn, when but few 

 flowering plants are visible, lightening up as it does and contrasting 

 beautifully with dark evergreens. To give the greatest effect they 

 should be planted in groups of three, five, or more plants in proportion 

 to the surrounding space ; single specimens may be planted in suit- 

 able nooks Avhere the space is more limited ; choice plants with 

 distinct and uncommon habit of plumes should be selected for these 

 latter positions ; the upright silvery one is to my thinking the best 

 and most striking variety, and one which retains its beauty for a much 

 longer period than any other. The rose and claret- coloured pampas 

 grasses are the handsomest and most showy forms with drooping 

 habit, but unless the stems of those latter are supported by means of 

 stakes and string, they are almost certain to get broken down by 

 strong winds before the whole of the beautiful panicles are fully 

 developed. Sites sheltered from prevailing and cutting winds should 

 be selected in front of evergreen shrubs, or backed up by sombre 

 foliaged trees, but at the same time a light and airy situation with a 

 rich soil and porous subsoil is the one they succeed best in. After 

 the selection of the places for the plants or groups, the ground should 

 be turned up to a depth of fifteen to eighteen inches, and a cart-load of 

 rich soil, road parings, or loamy turf should be allowed to each plant, 

 and well stirred in amongst the original soil ; a thick mulching of 

 manure should also be spread on the surface after planting, and if the 

 weather be dry a thorough soaking of water will be necessary ; 

 pampas grass is benefited by being planted on slightly raised mounds, 

 and shows off to better advantage than when placed on a level with 

 the surface. Strong well-established plants treated as above are almost 

 certain to succeed. If ground game abound wire netting should be 

 fixed round to protect the young plants for a year or two after plant- 

 ing, for when the pampas grass is thoroughly established these mis- 



