RED TOP. 159 



north or south in making permanent pastures. Usually 

 from 3 to 5 pounds of good clean red top seed should 

 .be enough to sow per acre in such combinations. It 

 should be remembered, however, that the amounts of 

 seed named are only approximate estimates, and that it 

 may be necessary to vary them to suit varying condi- 

 tions. 



In the south red top is sometimes used in making 

 lawns. For such a use it has a higher adaptation than 

 blue grass. When so used, much of what was said as 

 to methods to be followed when sowing blue grass on 

 lawns will also apply to red top. 



Pasturing. — Although seldom sown alone in the 

 northern states or in Canada to provide pasture, it is a 

 chief reliance for such a use in many parts of the 

 southern states. It is highly valued there as a pasture 

 grass because it is nutritious and fairly well relished by 

 stock ; because it will provide much grazing in the year, 

 even in addition to a crop of hay ; because it furnishes 

 good winter as well as summer grazing ; because it forms 

 a good sod that stands grazing well; and because it is, 

 for the conditions named, one of the most enduring 

 grasses. 



As already intimated, it ranks nearly as high as Ken- 

 tucky blue grass in its nutritive properties and, until 

 well advanced in growth, it has a fair amount of succu- 

 lence. But when it approaches the ripening stage, stock 

 do not eat it. ISTevertheless, when properly grazed, it 

 will furnish good pasture for all kinds of stock, even for 

 dairy cows whose needs call for succulent food much of 

 the year. 



