SOMETHING FOR THE MARKET GARDENER. 



357 



It should be of a bluish white color, and not 

 inclined to yellowing, which invariably in- 

 dicates that it is exhausted. The greater 

 the number of white threads the more cer- 

 tain it is that the spawn has run too far. 

 Fresh spawn should be obtained each year, 

 and in planting it should be broken into 

 pieces about the size of a walnut and put 

 about eight or lo inches apart each way. 

 The depth of planting is regulated by the 

 moisture of the bed. The greater the 

 moisture the shallower the planting, but in 

 any case do not cover them more than on« 

 and a half inches. 



AFTER GROWTH BEGINS. 



After the spawn has been left about lo 

 days it should show signs of running, and 

 if it does it should be covered with one and 

 a half inches of clay loam. After spread- 

 ing the soil over the bed evenly it should be 

 packed firmly with a mallet or brick, and 

 then given a slight watering. 



Should the temperature of the bed go be- 

 low 60 degrees a covering of straw about 

 six inches deep should be added. Care 

 should be taken when this is done to avoid 

 overheating. If signs of overheating ap- 

 pear remove the straw at once ; if not, leave 

 the straw on until mushrooms appear. This 

 may be in four weeks or not until four 

 months. 



The temperature of the beds should never 

 go below 60 or above 70 degrees after the 

 spawn is in place. If the bed becomes dry 

 it should have a slight sprinkling of water 

 about the same temperature as the bed. As 

 the crop increases more water is required. 



The New President of the C. H. A. 



Mr. Wm. Fendley, of Brampton, who was elected president of 

 the Canadian Horticultural Association at its annual convention 

 held in Montreal early in August, was initiated into the cut flower 

 business, in the employ of the late H. Dale, of Brampton, 21 years 

 ago. A few years later he began business for himself in a small 

 greenhouse, 10 x 12 feet. He gradually increased his glass space, 

 making a specialty cf carnations and violets. At present he has 19 

 houses, averaging 180 feet in length, and is known far and wide as 

 a successful violet and carnation grower. Mr. Fendley has been 

 faithful in his attendance at the annual conventions of the associa- 

 tion and, being well informed in regard to its work, should make a 

 most efficient president. 



In gathering the mushrooms they should be 

 drawn out, not cut off, and the hole filled 

 with soil. The best months for starting 

 beds are September and October. About 

 four months is the usual time a bed con- 

 tinues to yield a crop, and they should pro- 

 duce about one-half pound to the foot. 



The changing weather conditions of the 

 last few seasons have been rather discour- 

 aging to truck gardeners. — (J. W. Hyatt, 

 West Lake, Ont. 



The land must be in good shape and the 

 work done scientifically to get returns from 



truck gardening. — (Earl Spencer, Picton, 

 Ont. 



In growing onions one of the main things 

 is to have the crop ripe and cured before 

 rainy weather comes in the fall. — (George 

 Benner, Burlington, Ont. 



