RED TOP. St 
North America. Its cultivation began in England about two hundred 
and fifty years ago, but it is only since the middle of the last century 
that it has been commonly grown in Europe. 
Cultural conditions: Red Top grows naturally in all kinds of 
localities. Some of the varieties persist in light, sandy soil where 
little moisture is available, but they make a poor growth and have 
no agricultural value. Other varieties make a luxuriant growth in 
wet places and are of great importance. As the yield depends almost 
entirely upon the growth of the creeping root system, the grass does 
best in soil where the roots can develop freely. This they will do 
in light and wet soil, whereas in heavy dry land the rootstocks and 
runners become short and rather unproductive. Red Top makes a 
splendid growth in a moist climate. It is therefore suitable for low 
ground not far from the seashore. It is very resistant to cold. 
Habits of growth: In proper soil it makes a good growth the 
same year it is sown. It starts comparatively late in spring but 
when once growing it keeps on until late in the fall. 
Agricultural value: When mixed with other species for hay, 
Red Top makes a splendid bettom grass and will grow in places too 
wet for most other grasses. On account of its slow start, it has not 
as a rule reached full development when the other grasses in the 
mixture are ready to cut. On the other hand, it produces leaves and 
stems until late in the fall and is valuable where a second growth 
is required for pasture. It is liked by all kinds of stock and stands 
tramping very well, being even induced by it to send out a greater 
number of rootstocks and runners. It quickly develops into a dense 
and even sod, but if allowed to grow too long in one place it may be 
difficult to suppress. It is especially valuable for lawn-making. If 
used alone, twenty pounds of good seed should be sown to the acre. 
Seed: When grown for seed it should be harvested when the 
seeds are easily rubbed out. Commercial Red Top, as a rule, con- 
tains a great amount of chaff. So-called recleaned seed is nothing 
but ordinary seed from which some of the chaff has been removed. 
Ordinary commerical seed is reddish brown with a silvery sheen. 
The more silvery the lustre, the less the chaff and the heavier the 
weight. When the proportion of chaff is large, the weight is rather 
low, sometimes not more than eight pounds per bushel. Recleaned 
seed containing little chaff may weigh as much as thirty-five pounds 
a bushel. Asa rule the seed germinates well as it retains its vitality 
for several years. 
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