MUSHROOM GROWING 



terial. It is also claimed that fumigation 

 with carbon bisulphide (2 to 4 pounds per 

 1,000 cubic feet of space) is effective against 

 these insects. This is rather expensive, and 

 may be considered a last resort. Again, sul- 

 phur or hydrocyanic acid fumigation may be 

 used before spawning. If a thorough fumi- 

 gation is carried out it is best done just prior 

 to making the beds. Following up the sug- 

 gestions made here the commercial mush- 

 room grower should make a special study of 

 fumigation methods adapted to his space 

 and other conditions. 



Mites. The common mushroom mite 

 {Tyroglyphus lintneri) is a minute insect 

 which is found invariably in manure. It 

 becomes very abundant if much time is con- 

 sumed in the preparation of the compost 

 and of the beds, particularly if the tempera- 

 ture is high. This minute creature feeds 

 not only upon the mushrooms themselves, 

 but more particularly upon the mushroom 

 spawn, so that when they are present in 

 large numbers they may entirely prevent 



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