CHAPTER VIII 

 GRASSES FOR MISCELLANEOUS PURPOSES 



BESIDES 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 Eulalia. 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) 



