permaculture

[steved@ncatfyv.uark.edu (Steve Diver)]

Check out the The Vetiver Grass Network's new Web Page at: 
    http://www.vetiver.com

Vetiver is a tropical grass with an incredible number 
of uses relating to natural resources, construction and 
engineering, pollution control, and economic and cultural 
uses in agriculture & permaculture.  

It is most famous as a stiff grass barrier that forms a hedgerow 
against erosion on sloping lands.  However, extracts of
vetiver are made into aromatic oils, medicines, and natural
fungicides.  Biomass cuttings from vetiver are used as a
mulch and as a feedstock for making composts.  

The Vetiver Network (with Dick Grimshaw as Editor) has published 
a very fine hard copy newsletter on this plant for several years.  

The Vetiver Newsletter is one of the best newsletters on a single 
plant with multi-uses that I have seen.  Several back issues are now 
available on-line.