ORNAMENTAL GRASSES. 93 



to one side so as to hold water, fill with sand and saturate with water. 

 Get some mature growths, cut off the stalk and shorten the leaves; in- 

 sert in the sand and keep thoroughly wet. In a warm house they will 

 send up numerous rooted growths in a short time, which, as they require 

 if, should be potted and grown on. Young plants such as these can very 

 easily be divided. I haven't had much success with the variegated form 

 propagated in this way ; it is apt to come green. Division suits it better. 



DACTYLIS QOLflERATA VARIEQATA— The species grows in waste 

 places in the Eastern States. The green-leaved plants are weedy in 

 growth, very floriferous and are never grown in gardens. The varie- 

 gated form seldom produces many flowers, and these, when they appear, 

 should be removed. It is one of our best low-growing variegated 

 grasses, much used in some places for bedding. It is readily propagated 

 by division. 



ELVnUS QLAUCUS— A very ornamental species with bluish green 



leaves finely striated on the upper surfaces. It reaches a height of 



.about 2 feet. The habit is inclined to be spreading. In early Spring 



the growth is about a foot high when most other ornamental grasses 



are just showing. Propagated by division. 



ERIANTHUS RAVENN/E— This species comes next in size to the 

 Arundo, frequently growing 10 feet high. The growths are stout, end- 

 ing with very ornamental flowers, which, if taken in a young state and 

 dried in the sun, are quite as showy as those of the Pampas plumes. 

 The plants produce seeds freely; they should be sown in Autumn and 

 wintered in a cool house. The plant is thoroughly hardy in the District 

 of Columbia. 



EULALIA (Miscanthus)— The variegated forms of E. japonica are 

 more frequently used than any other ornamental grasses. As isolated 

 specimens they grow into very symmetrical subjects, the outer leaves of 

 the clump drooping and almost reaching the ground. There are three 

 kinds usually cultivated — Eulalia japonica foliis-striatus, E. j. zebrina 

 and E. univittata. The last named is much more dwarf than the others, 

 the leaves narrow with a whitish stripe down the middle. They are 

 natives of Japan. Propagation is effected by division of the crowns, 

 and should be done just as the plants are starting into growth. Old 

 clumps will have to be broken up with the aid of a mattock or axe. 

 They may be divided into pieces small enough to go in a 3-inch pot and 

 plunged in a frame among ashes, or they may be heeled among sand in 

 a frame for a couple of weeks or more before potting. They should in 

 any case be kept close for a few days after being divided, in order to 

 start fresh roots. 



FESTUCA GLAUCA grows only a few inches high, the foliage is of a 

 bluish green color. It may be divided and replanted during March or 

 April. 



QVNERIUn ARGENTEUM (The Pampas Grass)— During the exception- 

 ally severe Winter of 1898-1899 we did not lose a single plant of any 

 of the forms of the Pampas Grasses. None of the plants was protected 



