311 
Practically the only forage grass which is planted in the Philippines 
is Leersia hcxanclra Sw., locally known as Zacate or Barit. Large ai-eas 
in the vicinity of Manila are adapted to the cultivation of this grass, 
which is used entirely as green forage. Land for the cadture of this 
crop is prepared in the form of rice paddies, standing water being 
essential. 1 have found no record of the culture of this grass for forage 
in other parts of the world, although it is distributed throughout the 
Tropics, its culture apparently having been develo])ed in Manila to meet 
local conditions. Bermuda grass {Cijnodon dnctijlon Pers.), locally 
known as Omnia, is utilized somewhat for green forage, and also some 
strictly wild grasses such as Panicum stngnimun Betz., locally known 
as BaUli. Pice straw and corn are to a certain extent employed for 
forage, and teosinte {E ttcJiIaeiia huiirians Schrad.), a recent importa- 
tion, appears to have considerable value for this purpose. Grasses useful 
for grazing comprise many different species, especially of the Androjiago- 
nea' and Fanicea’. The most important lawn grass, and the one best 
adapted to local conditions, is Cynodon daciylon, but sometimes in 
Manila Zoiria pungens is utilized. 
Imperata cylindrica var. I'oenigii Benth., and I. e.raltata Brongn., 
locally known as Cogun, are extensively used for thatching roofs, and 
these two species, together with Saccharuin sponianeum Linn., locally 
known as Taldhih, because of tbeir gregarious habit of growth and the 
great areas occupied by them, may prove to l>e of considerable value 
as a material for paper manufacture.® In the highlands of northern 
Luzon, the stout stems of Mi'scanthm sinensis Anders., are employed by 
the natives for making walls, and even the floors or houses, and in the 
aljsence of Imperata, the leaves are used for thatch. The roots of 
Andropogon sqiiarrosus Linn, f., locally known as Mura or Raiz Mora, 
ai’e commonly sold in Manila, and because of their pleasant perfume are 
utilized for various purposes. Andropogon schoenanth us Linn., from 
which lemon-grass oil is obtained, is rarely cultivated, d’he flexible 
panicles of Phragmites vulgaris Lam., locally known as Tainhit are made 
into dust brooms and extensively sold in Manila and in other towns in 
the Archipelago. The hard fruits of Coi.v Incltryma-johi Linn., are used 
for beads and necklaces, and the mature seeds of the variety ma-yuen 
are locally used as food. The roots of a few species of grasses are used 
by the natives in the practice of medicine. 
The uses of bamboo are almost too numerous to mention, the chief 
among these in the Philippines l)eing in the construction of houses, 
bamboo providing posts, floors, walls, and even roofs; in the building of 
fences, temporary bridges, and scaffolds; for water ])i])es, rafts, floats 
to transport heavy timbers down streams, and for the manufacture of 
furniture ; for masts and outriggers on boats ; for l)askets, water buckets. 
Kieliiiiond : PhU. Journ. Hci. (1000), 1,4.57-400. 
