Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 November 1891 — Pampas Plumes. [ARTICLE]

Pampas Plumes.

An acre of pampas grnss judiciously managed lias been known to produce tern thousand plumes. Tho harvesting usually commences in Heptembor ere the seed! begins to mature. Tho plumes are - out and laid upon a sled which is drawn between the rows, for convenience. From tho field they are first conveyed to tho packing shod where they are stripped of tho green sheath which closely onve'opes them. Afterward in exposing them to the sun the mule panicles hung hoavi|y like oats, while the female plumes becomelight and fluffy. The latter alone are suitable for the market. The plumes, which average from two and u half to three feet in length, are then spread upon the ground to dry. Here they remain a couple of days before they ure againtransferred to the packing shed, where they ure placed upon wide ghelvos and left until tho stems ure thoroughly dried. Then follows the work of p ickiug for shipment. The plumes are graded and made into bales consisting of two or three thousand. Theso bales are thou packed into boxes made for tho purpose, if they ure packed smoothly, there is no danger of injuring thoin in transportation. When they roach their destination it is only necessary to shake them gently over a stovp, or in tho sun to have thorn regain their original beauty. England and Germany send the largest ordetsfor California pampas grass. It is used solely for decorafion in these countries, as elsewhere.-—[American Agriculturist.