MUSHROOM PESTS AND HOW TO CONTEOL THEM. 13 



GENERAL SUMMARY. 



Ill the construction of a mushroom house, care shouhl l)e taken to 

 make the building as tight as possible, with outlets capable of being 

 tightly closed. All windows and ventilators should be screened with 

 fine wire gauze; this forms an excellent prevention against the en- 

 trance of both fungus gnats and the mites which they carry, as pre- 

 viously mentioned. The importance of purchasing spawn from re- 

 liable dealers may l)e emphasized here. The preparation of the com- 

 post should be careful and thorough, and tlie temperature of the 

 house should be kept as low as possible, preferably below 55° F., 

 as at a low temperature all insects are more or less dormant, and their 

 otherwise rapid multiplication is thereby reduced to a minimum, 

 with corresponding reduction in infestation. Using carefully se- 

 lected manure, properly composted, and with proper temperature and 

 moisture conditions, there should be little necessity for the radical 

 measures of fumigation, sterilization, or destruction of the beds. 



