164 



Bulletin 227. 



temperature of the material in the beds was suitable for spawning on 

 November 23d when the spawn was planted. The beds were cased 

 in the basement on December 1st, in the greenhouse December 2d. 

 The first mushroom was picked about January 1st, that is, five weeks 

 from spawning the beds. In six weeks we began picking regularly; 

 at first a few, the number gradually increasing, and then diminishing 

 again as the beds became exhausted. A space representing about 



Fig. 151. — Young stage of mushroom showing spawn, the minute fruit bodies and young 



button mushrooms. Variety Columbia. 



70 to 75 square feet ceased bearing about March 20th; the remaining 

 space was bearing its heaviest about April 1 to 10th. For some 

 reason the spawn in this part of the bed was very late in starting. 

 It was fully two months after spawning before any evidence of 

 mushroom growth appeared. The mushrooms usually were picked 

 every other day and when the crop was at its best bearing from 

 4-8 pounds were collected at each picking. 



