ORNAMENTAL GRASSES 421 



sickly state during the Winter months, from which it takes it some 

 time to recuperate after being replanted outside. In Winter the 

 growths are grassy and spindling. 



Propagation. If the old plants are taken in hand some time 

 in January, and split up into the smallest pieces and put in the 

 sand bed of a warm house, they will in a few days push out fine, 

 healthy roots and when potted in a mixture of equal parts of moss, 

 sand and manure, will grow very vigorously and will be in splendid 

 trim for the planting out season. If it is desired to increase the 

 stock the young plants, after being in the pots for a few weeks, can 

 be redivided and the operation of rooting gone through as at first. 

 In the absence of a propagating bench a box of sand placed on the 

 hot water pipes answers the same purpose. 



PENNISETUM (Fountain Grass). P. longistylum (villosum) 

 and P. Ruppelii are perhaps the finest of our dwarf Grasses, which 

 are grown principally on account of the very ornamental character 

 of the flowers. They are usually treated as half-hardy annuals, 

 owing to their liability to get winter killed. They sometimes sur- 

 vive the Winters in the District of Columbia, but should always be 

 treated as tender subjects. 



Propagation. Plants raised annually from seeds are satis- 

 factory, if sown early; but old plants, divided up will give larger 

 pieces, start into bloom earlier and do not take so much attention 

 as seedlings. The old plants are wintered anywhere out of the 

 reach of frost. About the beginning of February cut off the old 

 leaves to within 6 inches of the crowns; divide into small pieces, 

 trim the roots so that they will ultimately go into 3- or 4-inch pots; 

 place the pieces thickly together in boxes of sandy soil and keep in 

 greenhouse. Pot as soon as the new roots have started. They may 

 be removed to a cool frame long before the soft bedding material 

 demands all the indoor space. There are several other annual and 

 perennial species grown; none, however, is as desirable as the above. 



SACCHARUM (Sugar Cane). 5. officinarum violaceum is a 

 variety of the Sugar Cane with violet or plum colored leaves and 

 stems; useful for sub-tropical bedding. 



Propagation. It is easily increased by cutting the stems into 

 pieces, with two joints to each piece, and placing them on the sand 

 bed of a warm house at almost any time. Numerous shoots are 

 produced at the joints, and they make plants rapidly. 



