48o 



Bulletin 280. 



Red-top. — (Variety vulgaris.) This is a grass well adapted to poorly- 

 drained or acid soils. It is always present in old lowland pastures and 

 meadows. Although it is probably least relished by cattle of any of 

 the common pasture grasses, it is indispensable in wet situations. It 

 forms a dense sod, having the habit of reproducing abundantly by 

 underground stems or stolons. (See Fig. 152.) It grows very rapidly 

 from seed and should be used in mixtures for permanent pastures as 

 it is ready for grazing in a very short time. If conditions are favorable 

 to th'? growth of Kentucky blue-grass, red-top will largely give way 

 to that grass in the course of three or four years, if both are sown. 



Red-top should be used liberally on wet lands intended for pastures, 

 and on soils which are sour. It is also a valuable grass for the hill lands 

 of central and southern New York. 



Red clover. — This is a valuable pasture plant in mixtures but is never 

 sown alone. It is often found in old pastures which have been top 

 dressed with stable manure. Its length of life is not over two or three 

 years at best. It is seldom seen blossoming in the pasture, especially 

 where closely grazed. Red clover is not well adapted to over wet or 

 acid soils. It should be included Hberally in a new seeding intended 

 for pasture and resown when it begins to disappear. 



Alsike clover. — This clover is more hardy than common red clover. 

 Like red clover it soon disappears unless resown. It is advisable to 

 include it in a pasture seeding, especially if the soil is acid or too wet. 

 It will also endure more drought than red clover. 



White clover. — This is a 

 most valuable pasture 

 plant. It thrives best on 

 rich lands, not too dry. 

 Although seldom sown it 

 appears in all parts of the 

 state. Land which will 

 support a good stand of 

 Kentucky blue-grass will 

 also produce excellent 

 white clover. (Fig. 154.) 



White clover has a 

 creeping habit. At brief intervals roots are produced on the creeping 

 stems. Numerous leaves and blossoms are sent up from the prostrate 

 stems. These are greatly relished by live-stock. 



Seeds of white clover should always be included in a seeding for 

 permanent pasture, especially on moist, rich land. It is not so lasting 



Fig. 154. — White clover. Showing the creeping 

 habit of the plant. By this means it forms 

 new plants. 



