Bent Grass

Bent Grass (Agrostis), a genus containing about sixty species (see GRASSES, PASTURE).—Common Bent Grass (A. vulgaris), abounding on dry elevated lands, becomes a pest in arable land. A. canina is also common.—Marsh Bent Grass (A. alba) is found in moist situations, and a variety (A. stolonifera) is known as Fiorin Grass. A. dispar, American Herd Grass, or Red Top Grass, is cultivated in France. The rarer and more delicate A. spica-venti is chiefly admired for its graceful appearance. Most of the European species are North American also. In the United States and Canada some of the bents are highly important as pasture and forage plants. On suitable soils A. vulgaris and alba give excellent crops of hay.