380 GARDEN MANAGE2IENT. 



all the grasses, and deserves a place in every garden. As the centre group of 

 a grassery, or placed in a rich shady dell, contiguous to rocks or water, it 

 would find a congenial home, and impart charming effects to such spots. A 

 rich alludal soil, at least a yard deep, abundance of space to unfold its large 

 graceful leaves, and throw up its flower-stems, and an unlimited supply of 

 water, are all the conditions its successful culture demands. Nice packets of 

 seed can be bought at one shilling each, and plants that will flower the second 

 year, from nine to twelve shillings a dozen. With liberal treatment, seedlings 

 will flower the third or fourth year. By sowing thinly in February or March in 

 pots, and planting out in prepared beds in May, a season may almost be gained 

 in the growth of the plants. Like all the grasses, the seed should be barely 

 covered with soil, and the surface kept moist, until germination is insured. 

 There seem, however, to be several varieties of this grass, in addition to its 

 sexual distinctions. When practicable, it is therefore best to purchase divided 

 plants from those who have grown the finest flower-stems : it can be rapidly 

 increased by division. I have just cut up a four-year-old plant into a dozen, 

 which I expect to throw up two or three flower-stems apiece during the coming 

 summer. Plants thus divided are more tender than others, and will require 

 more protection, until they are thoroughly established. Few plants, however, 

 are more worthy of attention, as they have a fine appearance when growing ; 

 and if the flower-stem is cut before it begins to fade, they look almost as noble 

 when dry. In addition to the localities I have pointed out for them, they also 

 contrast admirably with large masses of yews or other dark-foliaged shrubs. 

 A companion grass to this, with broad-striped foliage and large feathery 

 flowers, is the Erianthis ravenna. The Tussack-grass, and some of the common 

 reeds, and rushes, would also form beautiful features in connection with these. 

 There are also eight or ten varieties of the IIolcus saccliaratus, or sugar-cane, 

 whose elegant leaves, statelj' stems, and various-coloured heads of corn, are 

 highly ornamental. These are half-hardy annuals, and should be sown at once 

 in a gentle heat, and pushed rapidly forward to secure strong plants for plant- 

 ing out in May. The variegated, white-striped, and beautifully-marbled Zea, 

 or maize, require similar treatment, and have a charming efiect. The pretty 

 millet-grass {Milhim effusum), charming love-grasses (Eragrostis elegans, E. 

 Memaquensis, and E. Pttrsthi), and the several varieties of Briza, or quaking 

 grass, should also be sown now, either in pots or on a rather sheltered 

 bed out of doors. Two more beautiful annual grasses are the Brizopynim 

 siculum, whose branches rival in beauty the deciduous cypress, and Bromus 

 Irizoporoides, so useful for bouquets. The two feather-grasses, Stipa pin- 

 nata and S. gigantea, hardy perennials, and the hardy biennial Hordeuni 

 ■jubaturti, are also most useful for mixing with other flowers, and very elegant 

 in themselves. The smallest leather-grass almost rivals the Festuca glauca 

 for edgings. The handsome silver foliage of the Festuca contrasts beautifully 

 with red gravel walks, and is said to harbour fewer vermin than box or any 

 other Hving edging whatever. Tufts can be purchased for Is. Qd. a dozen or 

 15& per hundred. It is neat, graceful, and easily kept, the only attentiou 



