FLOWERING GRASSES. 



181 



FLOWERING GRASSES. 



portation from the River Plate, Gynerium 

 argenteum, or Pampas-grass, shown in Fig. 



FIG. I. PAMPAS GRASS. 



I. This should have some dry strawy litter 

 thrown over it in the winter season, and a 

 few spruce boughs or evergreen shrubs 

 stuck round to prevent the litter blowing 

 away. This plant resists the cold of our 

 ordinary seasons, but in many instances 

 succumbs to the severity of an unusually 

 cold and wet winter. Old plants seem 

 hardier than young ones, arising probably 

 from the larger top affording more efficient 

 protection to the roots. The old leaves 

 should not be removed until the end of 

 April, as they afford the best possible pro- 

 tection as far as it goes ; experience, how- 

 ever, shows that of themselves they will not 

 preserve life : hence the necessity of a little 

 extra litter. 



This is decidedly the king of all the 

 grasses, and deserves a place in every gar- 



den. As the centre group of a grassery, 

 or placed in a rich shady dell, contiguous 

 to rocks or water, it finds a congenial home, 

 and imparts a charming effect. A rich 

 alluvial soil, at least a yard deep, abund- 

 ance 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. 

 Packets of seed can be bought at one shil- 

 ling 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 dis- 

 tinctions. 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. 



FIG. 2. FEATHER GRASS (STIPA PINNATA). 



Plants thus divided are more tender than 



