Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1896 — PAMPAS GRASS PLUMES. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PAMPAS GRASS PLUMES.

They Will Be Waved by Republicans Who Parade Thia Year. Mark Hanna, chairman of the National Republican Committee, has chosen as the emblem in the forthcoming campaign red, white, and blue pampas grass, both for interior decorations and as a standard to be carried in parades, at which functions he suggests that the pampas should be mounted fan shape on a staff. This is not the first time pampas grass has been employed as the emblem of the Republican party. It was adopted as such in the Republican National Convention of 1892. Pampas grass Is. properly speaking, a grass which covers the pampas of South America, but it is now cultivated all over California for the sake of its plumes, which are sold by florists for room decoration. The South American grass is quite hardy, and it* tufts are magnificent in appearance. The leaves ire fully si.vbr «ght feet long, and the flowering stems ten to fourteen feet high. The flowers are silvery white,

and from eighteen inches to two feet long. The culture of these grasses and their preparation for the market form a considerable industry. Florists are thoroughly conversant with the valuable commercial qualities of pampas grass, and. most of the purveyors of flowers deal in it quite extensively. T<he demand.for pampas grass as an interior decoration is on the increase every year. The grasses are dried and colored for the market, and all that is left for the florists to do is their arrangements in making appropriate combinations. The great beauty of pampas grass is thought to reside in the plumes, or feathers, as they are sometimes called. These are abundant and fluffy, and fall in graceful streamers around the stems. The natural color of pampas grass is almost white, but rarely reaches the retailer In that guise. Mark Hanna has spoken for red, white and blue pampas grass, and red, white, and blue are likely to be the staple colors until election day.

BUNCH OF PAMPAS GRASS GROWING.