The Canadian Horticulturist. 



^65 



PAMPAS GRASS (Gynf.riu.m Argesteum). 



^;HE accompanying illustration represents a tuft of the beautiful 

 plant, Pampas grass, which grows so freely in California- 

 Although of a tropical character, it is almost hardy enough to 

 endure our climate with a little protection. The genus comprises 

 three species, of which this variety is the most desirable. It 



flourishes best on a light, sandy soil well enriched. In England they grow it out 



of doors in sheltered spots. The huge spikes of flowers attain a height of from 



six to ten feet. The leaves are linear, and from four to six feet in length. These 



blooms are cut off in the early part of 



the summer and preserved in a dry state 



for ornamental use in decorations. Un- 

 fortunately, this plant is not sufficiently 



hardy for the outdoor garden in Canada, 



but some of our readers may succeed 



with it by giving it protection in the 



winter. Mr. John McAinsh, of St. 



Mary's, wrote in the Canadian HoRTr 



cuturist for 18S0, that he has tried 



growing the Pampas grass out of doors. 



He was successful for two winters, by 



carefully covering it with a box about a 



foot in height, without top or bottom. 



He filled the inside with pea straw and 



banked up the outside with earth. Fig. 45.— Gynericm Argextet-m. 



The cabbage worm is very easily and cheaply disposed of by the application 

 of Bubach, either in powder form or in spray. This remedy seems to be sure 

 death to most caterpillars. The tent-caterpillar also yields when a few puffs of 

 the powder are blown into the tent at the time when the enemy is in camp, night 

 or morning. Plants which have recently been set should receive careful atten- 

 tion. Frequent stirring of the surface soil will directly benefit them by promoting 

 their growth, and indirectly prove still more useful by keeping the land clean. 

 The newly set plants are comparatively weak, and cannot make a vigorous growth 

 in land that is allowed to become filled with weeds or grass. If there are vacant 

 places in the strawberry beds, they can be filled if strong plants are at hand, the 

 blossom stems removed, the transplanting carefully done, and the plants 

 protected from the sun for a few days. 



