54 THE GARDENER. [Feb. 



a trowel, about 2 inches deep and 8 or 9 inches apart ; but not even 

 the smallest morsel should be lost, as the smallest bit will grow under 

 good conditions like yeast in a barrel. Beat the surface firm after 

 spawning; then cover over the surface of the bed with 1^ inch of the 

 same soil which is used for mixing in the dung ; beat it well ; then 

 give it a slight moistening with a fine-rosed watering-pot, and beat it 

 again ; then cover the bed over with 1 inch of dry wheat-straw to 

 keep all comfortable, and keep the bed from changes of temperature 

 and draughts when the door is opened. A slight sweat will rise from the 

 bed, and care must be taken that the straw does not become too wet 

 and clammy ; if so, it must be removed and dry substituted, until the 

 Mushrooms appear, which will be in about six to eight weeks. A steady 

 temperature of about 55^ to GO^ suits the Mushroom best, with a moist 

 atmosphere. If the house should become too dry from the use of the 

 pipes, or from its natural position inducing dryness, the floors and 

 walls should be moistened with the syringe in the morning, avoiding 

 wetting the beds or the straw. If all has gone on well at the proper 

 time, the Mushrooms will come up in large clusters all over the surface 

 of the bed, bottom and sides indifferently — as we have at this present 

 time some beds so thick that one's finger can scarcely be put down 

 where Mushrooms are not. AVe never care about watering Mushroom- 

 beds : when a bed becomes exhausted it is better to clear it out and 

 make up anew, than to water and wait for a very doubtful return. 

 With abundant moisture in the house it is wonderful the amount of 

 Mushrooms a seemingly dry bed will yield before exhaustion. 



About the gathering of Mushrooms. Often a whole bunch can be 

 lifted bodily off the bed all of the right size for the cook ; but if not all 

 of the proper size, those which want gathering should be twisted out 

 of the bunch without injuring the others. They are most in request 

 of the button size; and perhaps a bed lasts longer when they are 

 gathered of that size. They should never be cut off and the stump 

 left to rot and spoil the young ones by its side : a little dry soil should 

 be scraped into the hole ; or better still, a little dropped into the holes 

 from the hand. All economical French cooks like the Mushrooms 

 sent in with the stalks entire : only the very bottom of the stalks 

 should be cut off, where the soil may be sticking to it. The stalks are 

 quite good, palatable and eatable, and it is sheer waste to throw them 

 away ; and if the cook do not send the stalks to table, they can be 

 dished up in various ways for the servants' hall. 



The Squire's Gaedexer. 



