CHAPTER XI 



OTHER ECONOMIC GRASSES 



Besides the major use of grasses, the production of 

 food and of forage, there are several minor uses, the most 

 important of which will be considered under the following 

 heads: lawns, ornamentals, sandbinders, fiber grasses, 

 sugar-producing grasses. 



LAWN GRASSES 



A lawn is a small area of grassland in the vicinity of a 

 residence or other building, the grass forming a sod and 

 being kept cut short. It is maintained for its own beauty 

 or for its value in the composition of a pleasing landscape. 

 Larger areas or those not in the vicinity of buildings are 

 usually more properly classed with parks. As a rule a 

 lawn is composed primarily of grass but under conditions 

 not favorable to the growth of grass other plants have 

 been utilized. These cases are so few that they need not 

 here be considered. 



The chief characteristics of a good lawn are a uniform 

 growth of grass of fine texture and pleasing color, forming 

 a firm even sod. To secure uniformity of texture and 

 color the lawn must consist of a single species. To form 

 a firm even sod it is necessary that the grass should 

 spread by means of rootstocks or stolons. Fine bunch 

 grasses such as the fescue grasses will form a pleasing 

 lawn if the conditions of growth are ideal and the planting 

 and subsequent care are of the best. But these condi- 



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