RED TOP. 151 



Bent, has fine root leaves and is able to form a close 

 turf on soils low in fertility. This grass in one or the 

 other of its forms would seem to have greater power to 

 grow on a variety of soils than any other cultivated 

 grass. Notwithstanding, it grows better on moist than 

 on dry soils, hence the frequency with which it is found 

 in sloughs, in ditches and in by-places generally. Be- 

 fore the introduction of timothy, it was a chief reliance 

 for hay. Since that time, it is grown more for pasture, 

 alone or in mixtures where meadows are more or less 

 permanent. It starts later in the spring than blue 

 grass, grows more slowly and is later coming into flower. 



It is now more highly esteemed as a pasture grass 

 than a hay plant, because of its power to endure, and 

 because of the degree of its permanency, but in many 

 areas it is still considered an important hay plant. Al- 

 though quite suitable as pasture or hay for horses, cattle 

 and sheep, when the growth of the pasture is well ad- 

 vanced, it is not so highly relished by the stock. 

 Though some claim it equal to and even superior to 

 timothy for hay, the claim will scarcely hold good 

 when viewed from the standpoint of palatability or suit- 

 ability for marketing. But in nutrition, it is placed 

 next to blue grass. 



It is chiefly valuable as a fertilizer because of the 

 humus which it puts into the soil when plowed under. 

 Because of its permanency it may be made helpful in 

 keeping weeds at bay. It may also be made helpful un- 

 der some conditions in binding soils that are gullied and 

 in helping to fill up the same. (See p. 120.) 



Distribution. — Eed Top is indigenous to Europe and 



