100—FIELD SEEDS—(Continued) 
State Nursery and Seed Co. 
Red Top 
RED TOP 
Botanical Description —There are several varie¬ 
ties of Red Top, varying in height from two to 
four feet. The only ones of importance to agri¬ 
culture are the taller varieties. Red Top has a 
creeping rootstock and runners. It does not grow 
in tufts but forms a dense sod as a result of its 
joint rooting habit. The leaves vary in size and 
number. The flowers are arranged in panicles 
with numerous branches. 
Cultural and Soil Conditions — Red Top grows 
naturally in most localities. However, it is best 
adapted to light, wet soils where its roots can de¬ 
velop freely. Wet bottom land not suited for other 
grasses is often the ideal place for growing Red 
Top. 
Uses- —Red Top makes good growth the same 
year it is sown and continues growth late in the 
Fall. It makes a very fair quality of hay and 
especially has a place in grass mixtures for hay 
purposes. 
It is very palatable and is relished by livestock 
in hay or pasture form. 
PERENNIAL OR ENGLISH RYE GRASS 
Botanical Description —This grass is a perennial 
with a creeping rootstock which develops bunches 
of leafy stems and shoots. The plant grows in 
spreading tufts. The stems are upright, more or 
less elbow bent ascending and are smooth and 
slender, growing from one to two feet high. The 
leaves are dark green and folded together when 
in the bud. The flowers are arranged in a spike¬ 
like inflorence composed of flattened spikelets in 
two rows. They turn their narrow side toward 
the main stem, differing from Western Rye, which 
turns it broad side toward the stem. 
Cultural and Soil Conditions —It prefers moist, 
rich clay loams. It can be successfully grown on 
marshy land or any good well drained soil. Al¬ 
though it is quite drought resistant, it is not rec¬ 
ommended for districts where the Summers are too 
hot and dry. It reaches its best yield at the sec¬ 
ond year but continues to give good yields for 
several years. 
Uses —It is one of the oldest forage plants. It 
is very useful for hay and pasture purposes and 
sometimes is used in lawn mixture. Its greatest 
nutritive value is immediately before flowering. 
BROJ1E GRASS (Bromus Inermis) 
Brome is a (top) grass. Persistent. Withstands 
drought that kills all other grasses, is not sensi¬ 
tive to cold and dry weather and in regard to this 
is unexcelled. It does best on rich, fresh, humus¬ 
holding soils, loamy sand and sandy loam. 
Habits of Growth —Produces a close sod, a single 
cutting the year of sowing; two cuttings the sec¬ 
ond year. It becomes useful the second year and 
lasts twelve to fifteen years; second cutting al¬ 
most equals first. 
Seed and Seeding —Good seed should test 88 per 
cent to 90 per cent purity and the same for ger¬ 
mination. To sow an acre requires from 15 to 25 
pounds. 
Uses —Develops a good sod, makes excellent pas¬ 
ture grass and fair hay. For hay it should be 
cut just before flowering for nutritive value. 
TALL MEADOW OAT GRASS 
This grass is particularly adapted to warm, dry 
climates, where Timothy will not grow. It is quite 
productive, stands pasturing well and remains 
green until quite late. It forms a very valuable 
mixture with Orchard Grass and Red Clover. It 
may be sown in the Spring at the rate of two to 
two and a half bushels per acre, or where sown 
with Orchard Grass and Red Clover blended, pro¬ 
portionately. 
SLENDER WHEAT OR WESTERN RYE GRASS 
Botanical Description —Western Rye Grass is a 
perennial with a short rootstock, not creeping. 
The stems and shoots are rather crowded and the 
plant grows in dense tufts. Stems and shoots are 
upright, the stems being from two to four feet 
high. The foliage is somewhat variable. The 
spikelets are always strongly appressed to the 
main stem, making the whole inflorence narrow 
and slender—hence the name Slender Wheat Grass. 
Cultural and Soil Conditions —It grows naturally 
in dry soil and thrives best where water supply is 
limited. It does fairly well even on alkali ground, 
and the root being deep and strong, it is drought 
resistant and resistant to extreme cold. It is easy 
to grow, establishes itself the first year and gives 
its heaviest crop the third year. 
Uses —It is one of the most valuable of western 
native hay grasses. 
Perennial Rye Grass 
