160 GRASSES AND HOW TO GROW THEM. 



Although it is a little slow in starting in the spring 

 and after it has been cut for hay, because of continuity 

 in the growth, the amount of grazing furnished is rela- 

 tively large. Some farmers in the states which circle 

 around Kentucky, claim that they get from 5 to 7 

 months' pasture from it in addition to a crop of hay. It 

 is probable, however, that when thus grazed, the pro- 

 duction of both hay and pasture is less than it would 

 be if not grazed so much. Unless on soils low and 

 quite rich, the best crops of hay will be obtained from 

 lands not grazed closely in the autumn. 



In warm spells in winter, it may be grazed in the 

 south, at least in many instances, without injury to the 

 grasses after it has formed a good sod. When not close- 

 ly grazed in summer, the dead grass of that season falls 

 down and provides a mulch for the young grass, amid 

 which young blades grow up, even in the winter. In the 

 spring, such pastures are especially prized for areas that 

 are producing lambs. These pastures are so highly use- 

 ful to southern farmers, that they study to provide 

 them for their live stock. Although red top eventually 

 forms a stiff sod, considerable time is necessary before 

 this can be secured. Consequently heavy grazing the 

 first season after sowing in the spring or even in the 

 autumn should be avoided. The variety Ayrostis stol- 

 onifera forms so stiff a sod even on lands considerably 

 saturated with water, that they will not poach when 

 grazed by li\'e stock. But even on sterile soils, ordi- 

 nary red top will eventually furnish a dense sod. 



All authorities are agreed as to the on during charac- 

 ter of this grass. To southern farmers this is a matter 



