86 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



In this view the resuhs are shown where sulphate of am- 

 monia was used upon the unhmed soil. The small amount of 

 timothy is shown at the left, and the relatively large amount of 

 redtop at the right. The foregoing results taken together with 

 these show the wonderful ability of redtop to thrive upon acid 

 soils, and also the fact that such soils will not support timothy 

 until after liming. What has been said concerning the need 

 of lime for timothy is likewise true of Kentucky blue grass 

 and in a less degree of the awnless brome and other grasses. 

 Rhode Island bent grass, which is closely related to redtop, ex- 

 hibits the same remarkable ability to thrive upon very acid 

 soil. The very fact of the existence of splendid fields of this 



variety of bent grass in the State of Rhode Island is indicative 

 of soil acidity, and the need of lime. It is a case of the " sur- 

 vival of the fittest " upon the acid soil. 



In view of the fact that the conditions favorable to timothy 

 are also favorable to Kentucky blue grass care should be taken 

 where timothy and redtop are both desired to secure seed free 

 from the seed of Kentucky blue grass or it will tend to crowd 

 out both the timothy and redtop, producing essentially a " turf- 

 bound " condition. 



Alfalfa, like winter vetch, seems to thrive best after using 

 enough lime to render the soil slightly alkaline. In marked 

 contrast to lettuce, spinach, beets, the best results with alfalfa 



