RED TOP ORCHARD GRASS. 



345 



which had better be fed on the ground, than removed as 

 rowin, 



6. Redtop {Agrostis vulgaris) is the herdsgrass of the 

 Middle and Southern States. It is indigenous to the soil, 

 perennial, and well adapted, both for pastures and meadows, 

 and especially for reclaiming swamps and wet or moist lands. 

 It springs up spontaneously, but may be sown with timothy, 

 and in the same way ; and, as they are ready to be cut at the 

 same season, they furnish the most valuable hay. The white- 

 top, or fowlmeadow, is said to be a variety of this species. 



7. American cock's-foot or orchard-grass i^Dactylis glo- 

 merata) is one of the most permanent grasses. It is rather 

 coarse and whitish in appearance, with broad leaves, and 

 seed glumes resembling a cock's foot, from which it receives 

 its name. 



This plant abounds in seeds, but they are very light, so 

 that two bushels are sown on an acre. 



The best time and mode of sowing it, is with clover, be- 

 cause its growth is early and rapid, and both are fit for the 

 scythe at the same time. It may be cultivated and cured 

 in all respects as clover. But it appears best fitted to pas- 

 turage, both because of its rapid growth, and because it is 

 liable to grow coarse and harsh. Its highest value is obtain- 

 ed by keeping it cropped closely with sheep, but when cut 

 early with clover, the after growth is very abundant and of 

 great value; \ of its value is diminished if permitted to ripen 

 its seeds. 



8. Tall oat-grass (^yc?m eZafzor) is placed by Mr. Taylor 

 and Mr. Muhlenburgh at the " head of good grasses." The 

 latter says, " it is the best of grasses, and the earliest for 

 green fodder and hay." 



The seed is liable to waste if not collected in season. It 



may be sown with grain crops in the spring, six pecks to the 



acre, according to Sinclair, on a strong tenacious clay. But 



a clover soil is well adapted to it. It appears to be better 



29* 



