2 BULLETIN 692, U. S. DEPAETMENT OF AGEICULTURE. 



of this can be gathered from natural pastures in New England, and 

 it is believed that the gathering and marketing of this seed will 

 become an important resource, based entirely on the merits of the 

 grass. In view of the fact that redtop seed can always be dis- 

 tinguished by an expert and the South German mixed bent can be 

 distinguished by the incidental weed seeds present, there is good 

 reason to beheve that the industry of gathering Rhode Island bent 

 seed and of establishing a large sale for it on its merits can be 

 reestablished. 



Part II of the bulletin discusses the seeds of the species of bent 

 which occur in the trade. Conditions prevailing in the trade relating 

 to the sale of redtop seed as seed of the finer bents and the importa- 

 tion of seeds of the finer bents under various and misleading names 

 are set forth. 



The characteristics by which seeds of certain of the kinds of bent 

 can be distinguished are stated. Illustrations are given to make 

 clear the statements made. 



The principal impurities of domestic and of imported seed are 

 illustrated in the belief that this information may be useful in 

 distinguishing imported seed from that grown in this country. 



The most important fact is that redtop seed .can be distinguished 

 from seed of Rhode Island bent and of South German mixed bent to 

 the extent that the seed, either alone or mixed, can be detected with 

 certainty. 



The principal misbranding in the trade is the substitution of redtop 

 seed for seed of one of the other bents, a procedure which will be 

 discouraged by this bulletin. 



With the information which this bulletin furnishes, it is believed 

 that progressive seedsmen and others will promptly engage in the 

 production of seed of the finer bent grasses. 



