311 



Practically the only forage grass which is planted in the Philippines 

 is Leersia hexandra Sw., locally known as Zacate or Barit. Large areas 

 in the vicinity of Manila are adapted to the cultivation of this grass, 

 which is used entirely as green forage. Land for the culture of this 

 crop is prepared in tlie form of rice paddies, standing water heing 

 essential. 1 have found no record of the culture of this grass for forage 

 in otlier i)arts of the world, although it is distributed throughout the 

 Tropics, its culture a})parcntly having been developed in Manila to meet 

 local conditions. Bermuda grass (Ci/nodon dactylon Pers.), locally 

 known as Lrraina, is utilized somewhat for green forage, and also some 

 strictly wild grasses such as Funicum stagninum Eetz., locally known 

 as BiiUJi. Kice straw and corn are to a certain extent employed for 

 forage, and teosinte {Euclihieiia lu.ru rians Schrad.), a recent importa- 

 tion, appears to have considerable ^'alue for this purpose. Grasses useful 

 for grazing comprise numy different species, especially of the Andvopogo- 

 nca- and Panicea'. The most important lawn grass, and the one best 

 adapted to local conditions, is Cgnodon duriijlon. but sometimes in 

 Manila Zoisia pungens is utilized. 



Impevain cylindrica var. l-oeiilgii Benth., and /. c.raltaia Brongn., 

 locally known as Cogon. are extensively used for thatching roofs, and 

 these two species, together with Saccharum sponianeum Linn., locally 

 known as TaJdhib, because of their gregarious hal)it of growth and the 

 great areas occupied by them, may prove to l)e of considerable value 

 as a material for paper manufacture.'"' In the highlands of northern 

 Luzon, the stout stems of Miscanthtis sinensis Anders., are employed by 

 the natives for making walls, and even the floors or houses, and in the 

 absence of Imperata, the leaves are used for thatch. The roots of 

 Andropogon squarrosus Linn, f., locally known as Mora or Radz Mora, 

 are commonly sold in Manila, and because of their pleasant perfume are 

 utilized for various purposes. Andropogon schoenantlius Linn., from 

 which lemon-grass oil is obtained, is rarely cultivated. The flexible 

 panicles of PJirag mites vulgaris Lam., locally known as Tambi) are made 

 into dust brooms and extensively sold in Manila and in other towns in 

 the Archipelago. The hard fruits of Coix lachryma-johi Linn., are used 

 for ])eads and necklaces, and the mature seeds of the variety ma-yuen 

 are locally used as food. The roots of a few species of grasses are used 

 by the natives in the practice of medicine. 



The uses of l:»amboo are almost too numerous to mention, the chief 

 among these in the Philippines being in the construction of houses, 

 bamboo providing posts, floors, walls, and even roofs ; in the building of 

 fences, temporary bridges, and scaffolds; for water pipes, rafts, floats 

 to transport heavy timbers down streams, and for the manufacture of 

 furniture; for masts and outriggers on boats; for l)askets. Avater Imckets, 



'^Riclunond: Phil. Joiirn. Sci. (inOO), 1, 4.')7-4()0. 



