CULTIVATION OF MUSHROOMS. 



253 



same width, are then hastily nailed into the form of a rectangular 

 frame. This is placed upon the rock bottom at one end of the row 

 of material, perpendicular to it usually. 



The workmen then, with forks, distribute the material in this 

 frame. If there is coarser material which has been separated from 

 the finer material, this is placed in the bottom of the bed and the 

 finer material is then filled on top. A layer of material is distributed 

 over the bottom and then tamped down by striking with the back of 

 the fork, as shown in Fig. 232. In this figure the material is shown 

 to be off at one end of the bed. This was in a section of the mine 

 where it was not convenient to follow the beds in the direction of 



FIGURE 232. View in Akron " tunnel," N. V. Mushroom Co. Making up the 



beds. Copyright. 



the pile of manure, so that the material is distributed on from the 

 end of the bed instead of from the side, as is the usual method. 

 After several inches have been distributed in this way and tamped 

 down with the back of the fork, the operator tramps over the mate- 

 rial with his feet and presses it down more firmly. Another layer 

 of material is distributed over this, and tamped and tramped down 

 in a similar manner. The operation is repeated until the depth of 

 the manure after tramping down is about seven inches. It is then 

 left for the completion of the curing process and for the lowering of 

 the temperature to the desired point. Usually, after making the bed 

 in this way, there is a rise in the temperature for several days, 

 gradually lowering until finally it reaches the point favorable for 

 planting the spawn. 



