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Ornamental Grasses* 



ANDROPOaON SCH/ENANTHUS (Lemon Grass)— The leaves of this 

 plant when bruised emit a fragrance much resembling that of the Lemon 

 Verbena. It is a tender evergreen. When planted out in Summer the 

 growth is very rapid even in dry soils. As a pot plant it has a very 

 ornamental appearance, and stands well in a dwelling house. It is prop- 

 agated by division at any time of the year. The pieces should be 

 placed in wet sand for a few days previous to potting to encourage new 

 roots to form. 



ARUNDO DONAX— The tallest of our herbaceous grasses, growing 

 under favorable conditions to a height of 25 feet; flowers late in Sum- 

 mer. A very ornamental plant for the centers of large beds, or for iso- 

 lated groups on wide borders or lawns. As it increases very rapidly at 

 the root the rhizome-like growth may be divided just as the new shoots 

 make their appearance above the soil; these, when heeled in, may be 

 transplanted at any time. 



A. D. variegata grows only about half the height of the green one— 

 an exceedingly desirable plant for the hardy border. To propagate, 

 take the ripe stems and lay them in damp moss or sand; from each 

 joint one or more buds will start into growth and ultimately take root. 

 These young plants, when of sufficient size, may be detached from the 

 parent stem and put in small pots. 



BAMBUSA (Bamboo)— There are one or two species grown in green- 

 houses and several hardy ones. B. arundinacea will grow 60 feet high 

 in a smgle season. It is useful for roomy structures where quick effects 

 are wanted. B. aurea is perfectly hardy in Washington, D. C. The 

 growths will reach a height of 15 feet. B. striata is grown Indoors in 

 Winter. The plants will thrive a long time with limited root accommo- 

 dation. B. virminalis, B. chrysantha, B. punctata, B. mitis and B. 

 Marliacea sometimes stand the Winter in the open border without losing 

 their foliage. B. Fortune! variegata should never be placed where it 

 will crowd other plants, as it spreads rapidly and is difficult to eradi- 

 cate. Propagation is best effected by division. The pieces should be 

 started into growth among sand, in a close cool frame, potting off the 

 rarer kinds when a few new roots have been made. 



CYPERUS ALTERNIFOLIUS is useful either as a house plant or for plant- 

 ing out in Summer. Its propagation is much quicker accomplished by 

 leaves than from seed in the following manner: Get a piece of zinc, or as 

 many pieces as may be wanted, of a size say, 2 feet square; turn up the 

 sides 3 inches; beat the sides forming the corners together and bend them 



