172 THE HAY GRASSES 



for the production of timothy or blue grass. It will do 

 better on acid soils than any of our other hay grasses. 

 Redtop is an erect plant, about three feet in height. The 

 root growth is shallow but branching, which enables it to 

 make a dense sod that covers the entire surface of the 

 ground. 



Sowing the Seed. When sown for a meadow about 

 twenty pounds of clean seed should be used per acre. In 

 a grass mixture of timothy and alsike clover it is well to 

 use 10 pounds of redtop, 5 pounds of timothy, and 5 

 pounds of alsike clover. On low, undrained lands redtop 

 and alsike clover should be sown in combination, as the hay 

 or pasture will be of better quality and relished more by 

 farm animals if grown as a mixture. The seed, if free from 

 chaff, can be handled by a grass seeder. When sowing 

 redtop seed mixed with chaff, better results will be secured 

 if the sowing is done by hand. 



Harvesting. Redtop reaches the cutting stage about 

 two or three weeks later than blue grass or common red 

 clover. When grown in combination with alsike clover, 

 they both reach the proper cutting stage for hay at the same 

 time. Redtop is cut with a mower and cured the same as 

 timothy. It cures readily and sheds water well when 

 stacked. 



HOME PROJECTS 



i. Prepare sheaves of grasses, clover, and alfalfa for show 

 purposes in the following manner. Collect tall, healthy, leafy 

 samples having medium-sized stems, and cure slowly in a dark 

 room or shady place where free circulation of air can be obtained 

 without a strong draft. Do not pile the plants too thickly or 

 the leaves will turn yellow or red and may mold. Stirring will 



