GRASSES FOR MISCELLANEOUS PURPOSES 69 



rather small (6 to 12 inches long) fan-shaped brownish 

 plumes (Par. 204). Another grass of this habit, Thysolcena 

 agrostis, is often grown in the tropics. A common orna- 

 mental garden grass is ribbon-grass or gardener's garters. 

 Several small grasses are grown for bouquets, such as 

 trembling or quaking grass. 



89. The bamboos are important ornamentals in the 

 tropical regions and are much cultivated in Florida and 

 California. A few species are hardy farther north. Among 

 these may be mentioned Arundinaria japonica, a shrubby 

 form growing 5 to 10 feet high, and certain species of 

 Phyllostachys. There are several species of Phyllostachys 

 introduced in cultivation but their specific identity is in 

 doubt as many have not been known to flower. 



SOIL-BINDING GRASSES 



90. In order to prevent banks and slopes from wash-' 

 ing or sand-dunes from blowing, they may be planted 

 with grass or other vegetation. Such plants are known 

 as soil-binders. More particularly, those that hold sand- 

 dunes in place are called sand-binders. Any kind of 

 vegetation will hold soil or sand in place, but plants used 

 by man for this purpose are provided with strong creep- 

 ing rootstocks that quickly penetrate and bind the soil. 

 Grasses most frequently used for the holding of banks 

 and slopes are Bermuda-grass in the South and Kentucky 

 blue-grass in the humid region. The giant reed is used 

 along irrigation ditches in the Southwest. Japanese honey- 

 suckle (Lonicer a japonica Thunb.) is proving excellent for 

 holding slopes in Maryland and Virginia. 



91. Sand-dunes. — The fixing of shifting sand-dunes is 

 an important industry in Europe where much waste land 



