42 
JOSEPH BRECK & SONS 
(Corporation). 
RED TOP (Herd’s Grass), ( Agrostis vulgaris'). Root 
creeping; perennial; flowers in July. This valuable grass has 
been commonly cultivated in our fields for over a century. It ls a 
fine permanent grass, and forms a nutritious pasturage when fed 
close. It is valuable for all wet soils, producing a large return in 
good hay. Red Top is often sown with Timothy and common Red 
Clover, in which case the Clover soon disappears followed by 
Timothy, after which the Red Top usually takes its place, and with 
some wild indigenous grass forms a close sward. When sown 
alone two to three bushels per acre are required. 
RHODE ISLAND BENT (Agrostis canina j. Root creep¬ 
ing; perennial; flowers in July. A most valuable permanent 
grass, largely used in New England for pastures and for lawns. 
For the latter purpose it is often sown by itself; and if cheapness 
is an object perhaps it is as good as could be sown, but we recom¬ 
mend the lawn mixture wherever practicable. Soil and treatment 
same as for Red Top (A. vulgaris ). 
ROUGH STALKED MEADOW GRASS (Poa trivialis). 
Root fibrous; perennial. This grass is valuable on account of its 
quick growth, productiveness, and nutritive qualities. Crow's in 
perfection on moist, rich soils, and is also well adapted to ground 
haded by trees. Grows early in the Spring, and continues green 
until late in the Fall. As it delights in shelter, its produce is 
always much greater when sown with other grasses. Cattle, sheep, 
.uid horses show a great partiality for it, and the pasture is gener¬ 
ally eaten barest where this grass predominates. Does not thrive 
well on dry soils. 
PERENNIAL RYE (Ij)lium perenne ). A very valuable 
grass; arrives early at maturity, and produces a good supply of 
herbage, of which cattle are very fond. It grows freely on almost 
any soil, and shows a very early Spring grow'th. Although a 
perennial grass, the root will not live over three or four years, and 
unless the plant is allowed to reproduce from self-sown seed it will 
die out in about that time. This is an objection to its extensive use 
for permanent pastures, but for hay crops it may be introduced to 
good advantage along with other grasses and clovers. 
ITALIAN RYE (Lolium Italicum). This is one of the 
most valuable grasses brought into notice during the present cen¬ 
tury. In nutritive value, earliness, and quickness of growth after 
it has been mown, it by far surpasses the Perennial Rye Grass. It is, 
therefore, indispensable for alternate husbandry; but as it does not 
last over two years it is of no use in permanent pastures. The 
*oils best adapted to Italian Rye seem to be those that are moist, fertile, and tenacious, or of a medium consistency, and of 
■uch soils it is said to be one of the best grasses known to cut green, affording repeated luxuriant and nutritive crops. 
FOWL MEADOW (False Red Top, Duck Grass, Swamp Wire Grass), (Poa serotina'). Root slightly 
creeping; flowers in July and August. This perennial native grass is found on lowlands in many places, though it seldom 
cakes full possession of the soil unless seed is sown. It has been largely introduced into New England, and is particularly 
adapted to moist, rich soils, such as the borders of rivers, ponds, etc., owing to the fact that an occasional overflow will 
not injure its growth. It may be mown at any time from June to October, as it never becomes so coarse and hard but tiv 
stalk is sweet and tender and eaten without w r aste. It makes an excellent grass for oxen, cows, and sheep, but is thought to- 
fine for horses. It is easily made into hay w’hich is of a nutritive character. 
MEADOW FOXTAIL (Alopecuruspratensis'). Root fibrous; perennial; flowers in May. This is one of the bes 
grasses for permanent pastures, and should always form a fair proportion of the mixtures for that purpose, because cf it* 
extremely rapid growth and great nutritive qualities. Thrives best on a rich, strong soil. As the Meadow Foxtail shoot* 
up its flowering stalk much earlier than Timothy, it can be easily distinguished from the latter, which, at first sight, it greatlj 
resembles. It endures the cropping of cattle and sheep probably better than any other variety of grass, making it, as statec 
above, wellnigh indispensable in all first-class permanent pastures. The nutritive qualities of Meadow Foxtail are mos 
abundant at time of flowering. 
CRESTED DOG’S-TAIL (Cynosurus cristatus') . Roots fibrous and tufted; perennial. This is a most valuable 
permanent pasture grass. It is very tender and nutritious at time of flowering. If, however, it is left until the seed ripens, 
cattle will not eat it on account of its wiry stems. For parks this grass is well suited, because of its fine, close growth, and 
pleasant green color. It should form a portion of all mixtures for lawns. 
MEADOW FESCUE (Pestuea pratensis). Root creeping; perennial; flowers in July; one of the most valuable 
of the Fescue grasses. This grass is well adapted for permanent pastures, and is also sometimes used for alternate 
husbandry. It grows rapidly in rich and rather moist soils, and makes an excellent pasture grass, its long tender leaves 
being much relished by cattle. It should be always sown mixed with other grasses. 
See Special Offers on third page of cover. 
Sweet Vernal. 
(Anthoxanthum odoratum.) 
Rough-stalked Meadow 
(Poa trivialis.) 
