CHAPTER VIII 
GRASSES FOR MISCELLANEOUS PURPOSES 
BesIpEs the three chief uses of grasses, there are others 
of considerable but comparatively minor importance. 
These uses will be considered under the following heads: 
Ornamental grasses, Soil-binders, Sugar-producing grasses, 
Textile grasses, and other uses. 
ORNAMENTAL GRASSES 
88. Grasses may be grown for ornament because of 
their handsome inflorescence, such as that of the plume- 
grasses, or the alleged beauty of the foliage, such as that of 
the ribbon-grass and other grasses with variegated leaves. 
Some are used for making dry bouquets, the delicate 
inflorescence holding its form after being detached. 
There are three large species that are commonly used 
for lawn decoration. They are plume-grass, giant reed, 
and Kulalia. Plume-grass has long narrow leaves taper- 
ing to a fine point and a large white or pink feathery 
plume 1 to 2 feet long. The leaves are in a large cluster at 
the base and the plume is raised on a tall slender stalk 
several feet high (Par. 246). Another plume-grass less 
frequently seen in America is the Ravenna-grass (Par. 
206). Giant reed has broad leaves scattered along the 
stem as in corn, and a large oblong plume (Par. 247). 
Eulalia has clusters of long narrow leaves at the base and 
a slender stalk rising a little above the leaves, bearing 
(68) 
