GRAMINACE.E. 313 



best time to divide the large-growing species, if it should be 

 deemed desirable to increase them in that way; and in strong 

 soils there is little difficulty in dividing them successfully if the 

 divisions are not too minute. 



Agrostis Steveni. — The general character of Agrostis as re- 

 gards the inflorescence is grace, with a multitude of minute 

 flowers in open slenderly-branched panicles ; and this is a very 

 elegant member of the family. It grows about 2 feet high, and 

 is a graceful and attractive ornament of border or bed, and the 

 flowers are valuable for mingling with other cut-flowers. Some 

 of the annuals of this genus, such as A. nebulosa, are most 

 elegant species. 



Andropogon. — The species of this group vary a good deal 

 more than the Agrostis group in their superficial characteristics, 

 and especially in stature. The inflorescence is either in crowded 

 bearded panicles, or in graceful silky ones. 



A. Bombycinus. — A dwarf species, with small silky drooping 

 panicles. Height about i foot. 



A. strictus. — A tall handsome species about 4 feet high, with 

 graceful silky panicles. 



Arundo conspicua. — A very handsome grass, resembling 

 Pampas-grass, but scarcely so vigorous and bold in character; 

 nor has it proven generally so hardy. Height about 4 or 5 feet. 



A. Donax. — A gigantic grass growing 8 or 9 feet high, with 

 broad, flax-like, glaucous leaves, and the stems often woody at 

 the base. There is a beautiful striped white-and-green-leaved 

 variety, named A. D. versicolor, but not common in cultivation; 

 both forms require ample supplies of moisture in the growing 

 season. 



Briza media. — An elegant little British Quake-grass, that 

 should have a place in every collection of ornamental grasses. 

 It grows from i foot to 18 inches high, with open spreading 

 panicles of pendent spikelets of flowers, which are continually 

 in graceful agitation. 



Dactylis glomerata variegata. — An elegant dwarf-grass, with 

 white variegated foliage ; very handsome for edgings, too, in the 

 flower-garden. It is a variegation of the common Cock's-foot 

 grass, so abundant in rough pastures all over Britain. The 

 flowers must be cut away as soon as they appear, as they 

 injure the foliage and are not ornamental. 



Digraphis arundinacea variegata, syn. Phalaris amndinacea 

 variegata. — This is the common Ribbon-grass of gardens, and 

 is an elegant plant. The flowers are not very ornamental, and 

 should be cut away if the plant is cultivated for the leaves alone. 

 The tufts in rich moist soil will reach the height of 2 feet. 



