2 BULLETIN 692, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
of this can be gathered from natural pastures in New England, and 
it is believed that the gathering and marketing of this seed will 
become an important resource, based entirely on the merits of the 
grass. In view of the fact that redtop seed can always be dis- 
tinguished by an expert and the South German mixed bent can be 
distinguished by the incidental weed seeds present, there is good 
reason to believe that the industry of gathering Rhode Island bent 
seed and of establishing a large sale for it on its merits can be 
reestablished. 
Part Il of the bulletin discusses the seeds of the species of bent 
which occur in the trade. Conditions prevailing in the trade relating 
to the sale of redtop seed as seed of the finer bents and the importa- 
tion of seeds of the finer bents under various and misleading names 
are set forth. 
The characteristics by which seeds of certain of the kinds of bent 
can be distinguished are stated. Illustrations are given to make 
clear the statements made. 
The principal impurities of inne ne and of imported seed are 
illustrated in the belief that this information may be useful in 
distinguishing imported seed from that grown in this country. 
The most important fact is that redtop seed can be distinguished 
from seed of Rhode Island bent and of South German mixed bent to 
the extent that the seed, either alone or mixed, can be detected with 
certainty. 
The principal misbranding in the trade is the substitution of redtop 
seed for seed of one of the other bents, a procedure which will be 
discouraged by this bulletin. 
With the information which this bulletin furnishes, it is believed 
that progressive seedsmen and others will promptly engage in the 
production of seed of the finer bent grasses. 
