THE PERENNIAL GRASSES 209 



growth in the spring or after cutting, but it is very useful 

 in mixture for seeding permanent pastures, since it will 

 grow in places too wet or too acid for the other grasses 

 of the mixture. For pasture it ranks near blue-grass in 

 palatability, and live stock eat it quite readily. Where 

 soils wash badly, redtop, because of its numerous creeping 

 root stalks, is a valuable grass to bind the soil and prevent 

 washing. When grown for seed it is a profitable crop, 

 because it can be grown on soil that will not give a profit- 

 able return from other crops. 



196. Cultural methods. — The seed of redtop varies 

 more in quality and price per bushel than other grass seed. 

 Usually one pound of well-recleaned seed is worth as much 

 for seeding as four or five pounds of the imcleaned seed. 

 When seeded alone, 15 pounds of well-cleaned seed is 

 regarded as a full seeding. It may be seeded in the same 

 way as described for timothy. In pastures or wood lots 

 having low, wet areas, redtop may be useful to improve 

 the herbage. The seed may be scattered over these 

 areas in February and March and the freezing and thawing 

 will cover the seed. 



