MUSHROOM GROWING 



and is the one mushroom of considerable 

 economic importance, apparently, now cul- 

 tivated on this substratum, and the produc- 

 tion of which actually attains the dimensions 

 of an industry. According to the indica- 

 tions available, the fungus occurs more 

 luxuriantly upon Carpinus laxiflora and 

 Quercus glandulifera (Plate IX, a). It 

 would appear that the conditions for the 

 growth of this fungus have been carefully 

 worked out. The wood is cut in the form 

 of poles, then permitted to weather for some 

 time. Subsequently cuts are made through 

 the bark into the wood with an ax, holes are 

 bored with an auger for the insertion of the 

 spawn if artificially inoculated, and the 

 poles are placed in situations favorable for 

 the growth of the fungus (Plate VHP, c, 

 d). Apparently more than two years are 

 required after the cutting of the poles be- 

 fore the first mushrooms are secured. The 

 sporophores, however, appear in quantity 

 and the operation seems to be well recog- 

 nized as a financially successful one. 



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