208 FIELD CROP PRODUCTION 



weighs only about 12 pounds per bushel. Recleaned 

 seed weighs about 35 pounds per bushel. 



194. Adaptation and distribution. — Redtop is probably 

 more widely distributed than any other cultivated grass. 

 It will grow in greatly varying conditions of soil and 

 climate. It is hardy in the North and thrives in the warm 

 climate of the Southern States. While redtop is grown in 

 almost every state in the Union, it is of importance only in 

 comparatively few places. It is well adapted to low, wet, 

 or undrained soils, and will also grow on soils that are of 

 acid reaction. It is well adapted, too, to heavy clays. 

 In the timothy and blue-grass sections and also in New 

 England, it is used in pasture and meadow mixtures. It is 

 grown in the mountain valleys of the Western States 

 where the soil is too wet for other grasses. In a few coun- 

 ties of southeastern Illinois and adjacent counties across 

 the river in Kentucky, it is an important crop. In this 

 section it is grown for the seed. In the South, where it is 

 kno\vn as Herd's grass, it is accorded much favor, since 

 it is one of the few grasses that will remain green the year 

 around. 



195. Uses. — As a hay grass, redtop is generally looked 

 upon with disfavor, especially in the timothy region. 

 It is, however, next to timothy the most important hay 

 grass of this section. When hay is grown for the market, 

 redtop is especially in disfavor, and a small amount mixed 

 in with the timothy decreases the price of the hay. Chemi- 

 cal analysis shows that redtop is equal if not better than 

 timothy in feeding value. Redtop hay, however, lacks 

 palatability, it deteriorates in quality if over-ripe, and 

 does not as a general rule compare with timothy in yield. 

 In the New England States, redtop is largely used in com- 

 bination with other grasses for hay. It is slow to start 



