AS A PASTURE GRASS. 41 



Redtop is often sown with Timothy and common red 

 clover, in which case the clover of course soon disap- 

 pears, when Timothy follows, after which redtop usually 

 takes its place, and, with some wild grasses, forms a close 

 sward. In Pennsylvania, and states further south, it is 

 universally known as Herd's Grass a name applied in 

 New England and New York to Pldeum pratense alone. 

 It is of somewhat slow growth, but of good or medium 

 quality, suited to moist soils, though common to all. 



This grass is probably rather overrated by us. It 

 makes a profitable crop for spending, though not so 

 large as that obtained from Timothy. It is a good per- 

 manent grass, standing our climate as well as any other, 

 and consequently well suited to our pastures, in which 

 it should be fed close ; for, if allowed to grow up to 

 seed, the cattle refuse it ; and this seems to show that 

 it is not so much relished by stock as some of the other 

 pasture grasses. The fact that cattle eat any grass 

 greedily in the spring, is no proof of its excellence or 

 nutritious qualities; since then all grasses are tender 

 and full of juice, and many varieties of both grasses 

 and shrubs are readily eaten, which, at a more advanced 

 stage of growth, are refused. 



It is to be regretted that Professor Way, in his val- 

 uable investigations into the nutritive value of the 

 grasses, did not include this in the list analyzed by him. 

 At present we have no accurate and reliable means of 

 comparison of this with other species of grass, as in 

 the case of many other species. 



This grass is known by various names, and is greatly 

 modified by soil and cultivation. On a moist, rich soil 

 it grows larger than on a poor, thin soil; and not only 

 larger, but has a darker, purplish color, with a stem vary- 

 ing from eighteen inches to two or two and a half feet 

 high ; while on thin, poor, gravelly soils, it seldom 

 4* 



