Recent changes in the EU green aims can help to overcome economic obstacles in the slow upscaling of Miscanthus cultivation. Using Miscanthus can permanently fix CO 2 within building materials thereby aiding the EU climate goals with the increased use of regrowing materials, as well as carbon fixation. Economic obstacles in the slow upscaling of Miscanthus cultivation are targeted by recent changes in the greening aims in the EU. Miscanthus can fulfill a valuable dual function in aiding the EU climate goals by achieving permanent CO 2 fixation within building materials. In contrast to energetic use, persistent applications create stable markets allowing for a reduced risk in the establishment of long term cultured perennial crops. However, the development of different building materials requires an understanding of the combination of the biological and technical aspects. This work presents an overview of the development of the general aspects for the agricultural product Miscanthus and the scientifically reported developments of Miscanthus used as feedstock in polymers, particle boards, and cementitious materials. While the product performance can be evaluated, the understanding of the influence by the input biomass as a main contributor to the product performance needs to be reinforced to be successful with a goal-oriented development of Miscanthus based products. The key feedstock parameters governing the technical performance of the materials are identified and the knowledge gaps are described.

third, lettuce, radishes, etc.; the fourth, with a dozen plants of parsley, and the balance of the row in endive and parsnips. When the two middle rows have been cut out, the cultivator can be used to work the beets, parsnips, etc., in the outside rows. Row No. 9. This row is three feet distant from the parsnips, and is planted with early cauliflower and early cabbage, with two plants of lettuce between each of the other plants, which are set feet apart. Rows No. 10. These are four rows of peas, different plantings, two kinds, early and medium, in each row, in equal quantities, rows three feet apart. These are to be pulled out as soon as the crop is gathered, and two rows of celery planted six feet apart. Rows No. 11. Here are four rows of early sweet corn, in four plantings of successive kinds, to be cleared off and followed by turnips, drilled in rows one foot apart, and worked with the wheel hoe ,* or the seed may be broadcasted after a thorough cultivating, when the ears of corn are well set, without clearing the ground. This is not nearly so satisfac¬ tory a plan as to wait until the ground can be cleared and drilled. The rows of corn should be four feet apart. Rows No. 12. Two rows, 4^ feet apart, of Lima beans, with the poles about 2£ feet apart in the row. Row No. 13. This row should have six feet clear on each side for the vines to run, and is to be planted with cucumbers and squashes. The space between the hills can be occupied with pepper plants or sweet corn. Rows No. 14. Two rows of tomatoes, four feet apart. Rows No. 15. Four rows of late sweet corn, four feet apart. Rows No. 16. Two rows of sweet potatoes, five feet apart and five feet from the corn and pole beans on either side. Row No. 17. One row of pole snap beans. About three kinds should be planted, that they may be had in succession. Rows No. 18. Five rows early potatoes, three feet apart, plowed in when the ground is plowed in the spring. When cultivated for the last time, plant a row of late cabbage between each row of potatoes ,* when the latter are ripe, dig with a fork, clear the ground of vines and cultivate the cabbage thoroughly. * See the method of covering the seed of Lima beans described by Miss L. M. Moll, and our note on the same.-Ed.

Biomass for non-food applications is considered as a substitute for petro-based materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS). This research analyzes physical properties of an EPS containing commercial bonded leveling compound (BLC) which was substituted with cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum L.) biomass. Cup plant is a high-yielding biomass plant with several ecological benefits that is yet mainly used for biogas production. Furthermore, the high amount of parenchyma in senescent biomass with its EPS-like structure could be a possible substitute for petrochemical foams in lightweight aggregates. The natural variation in parenchyma content of several European cup plant accessions is promising, regarding the development of cultivars with suitable biomass properties for the proposed material use. Two binders with different proportions of cup plant and EPS were used to produce samples of BLC for thermal conductivity and compression strength tests. The compression strength of 0.92 N mm−2 and a thermal conductivity of 84 mW m−1 K−1 were analyzed and comparable to the commercial BLC. The thermal conductivity within the tested borders appears nearly independent of the biomass content. With increasing cup plant content, the shape characteristics of the lightweight aggregate mix changes towards more elongated aggregates. The mechanical strength and thermal conductivity are highly sensitive to the water demand of the biomass. Direct partial substitution of EPS by cup plant appears feasible and could be a part of the decarbonization of the construction sector.