Of all the many valuable kinds of grasses, we think none is better than Red Top either for cattle or horses. This is very heavy, and we think that there is less shrinkage in a ton of this hay, after it goes into the barn, than in any other kind. As an improver of soils, we are satisfied that, in the long run, there is no grasses, in all respects, equal to Red Top. This grass has a faculty or nature of spreading its roots over the entire surface of the soil, starting out all weeds and foul grasses, and making a close and firm sward. This is one reason why it is a better improver of soils than most grasses, because it affords a perfect protection to the soil against the hot sun, washing rains, etc. It delights to grow in rather moist bottom lands inclining to clay, yet it will grow well on high, dry, loamy soils, if the soil has been plowed to a good depth. We are speaking now more particularly of grass lands intended for mowing. This grass is also a good one for pasture lands, as it will continue to grow through the season where fed off by cattle. With Timothy grass this is not so much the case, as it is not inclined to grow much as after-math, unless in quite moist ground.

Yet there are many farmers now who never sow this grass upon their land and of course they never have any, only what happens to come up naturally. After this grass once gets firmly rooted in the soil it will remain without much difficulty. Turn over a sward of this grass for winter grain, wheat or rye, and the next season after the grain comes up the ground will be almost entirely swarded over with Red Top, although no grass seed has been sown. But the better and more safe way is to sow the grass seed at every breaking up of the ground.