342 THE FLORIST. 



revived, that it will be rather disappointing to have a bad bloom. 

 However, let us hope for better things. Next month I may have a 

 word more to say upon the subject, for it is now so late in the month I 

 am afraid the editor will cry out. 



Deal, Oct. 26. D. 



HOW TO MAKE A MUSHROOM BED. 



Previous to making beds (for they may be made at any season of the 

 year), collect a quantity of fresh horse dung that has not been exposed 

 to wet or fermentation ; clear it of loner straw, so as to leave all the 

 short that has been trodden into the wet interstices of the stable floor, 

 partially dry it, either in a shed or under a tree ; turn it over once or 

 twice, till it is half dry ; to this add one-fourth of light turf, cut fresh 

 from a pasture field, chopped small with the spade, but not sifted ; a few 

 decaying Oak or Beech leaves, and a small portion of sheep or deer's 

 dung ; mix the whole well together, and throw them in aheap till they 

 begin to sweat, then take and spread a layer of the mixture four inches 

 thick, on the place where they are intended to be grown, and beat it 

 down firmly with a mallet, and continue this till the bed is not less 

 than a foot thick ; should it heat so that there is danger of rotting, make 

 a few holes in the bed with a dibble ; of this, however, there is little 

 fear, if the dung and soil have been properly dried. After the heat 

 begins to subside the spawn is to be put in, making holes about nine 

 inches apart, and putting pieces of the spawn about three or four inches 

 square in them, leaving the holes open at the top, to allow the steam, if 

 any, to escape ; about a fortnight after the spawn has been put in the 

 holes should be again spawned, in case the first should have received 

 any injury, and also to prolong the bearing of the bed ; close them 

 firmly up as soon as the spawn has run through the bed, which can 

 easily be known by examination ; the bed is to be covered over with 

 dry soil from a pasture field or common, and firmly pressed down, but 

 not beaten, as that would break the threads of spawn, which are fast 

 approaching the state of Mushrooms. 



Mushrooms are impatient of wet, therefore, wherever they are grown, 

 it is indispensable that they should have a dry bottom ; when the beds 

 are in want of water, the best plan is to give them a moderate watering 

 at once, in preference to many light waterings ; the water should be 

 warm, and though the crop should be destroyed, they will spring up 

 in a few days with renewed vigour. Mushrooms may be grown in any 

 place that is dry — in a shed, or a stable, in a box, or a drawer ; and in 

 either case the process is the same. Covering the beds is injurious, and 

 should not be adopted except in severe weather, or in old beds where 

 the heat is decayed. 



Mushrooms are impatient of the extremes either of heat or cold ; the 

 proper temperature is from 55° to 60°, and where this cannot be 

 steadily maintained, by some means or other, the cultivation of them in 

 the winter season should not be attempted. 



