LAWNS AND LAWN-MAKING 205 
closely related to Kentucky blue-grass. The latter 
closely resembles it, but the former is a lighter green 
in color, and the leaves are more shining. Both are 
adapted to use in shaded situations in the sections 
where blue-grass and redtop are used. ‘They can also 
be used farther south because protected from the heat 
by the shade under which they grow. 
Redtop (Agrostis alba I,.). This is one of our best- 
known grasses, and, though rather coarse in foliage, 
lends itself well to lawn-making. It forms a close, 
durable sward, soft in texture where mowed frequently 
to induce the production of fine foliage. Neither cold 
nor heat are specially injurious to it, but moist, clayey 
soils are preferred. In the region of Lakes Erie and 
Ontario and in the upper Atlantic Coast redtop is largely 
used, both in mixtures and alone. It forms a large 
percentage in practically all the lawn-grass mixtures 
sold in this country, and on the whole is one of the 
best grasses for the purpose. It has a special field 
in the moist and somewhat acid soils of the lower 
New England States and the northern Atlantic Coast, 
where blue-grass does not thrive. 
Two similar and closely related species are creeping 
bent (Agvostis stolonifera) and Rhode Island bent (4. 
canina). ‘The former is regarded as a variety of redtop, 
but is much finer in habit and foliage, and produces the 
softest and most velvety turf of any grass in this coun- 
try. Rhode Island bent is intermediate in habit and 
texture between the other two. All are adapted to the 
same conditions of soil and climate. Rhode Island bent 
is largely used in Rhode Island and Connecticut, 
where practically all the seed is grown. 
