CULTIVATION OF THE MUSHROOM 



589 



VENTILATION. Pure air is essential to a healthy crop. Provision should 

 therefore be made for a gradual renewal of the air in the mushroom house. 

 However, draughts must be avoided as tending to a too rapid evaporation and 

 cooling of the beds, an unfortunate condition which cannot thereafter be entirely 

 remedied. 



THE BEDS. The most common type of beds is known as the "flat bed." 

 It is made on the floor or on shelves as shown in the illustrations. It is usually 

 about 10 inches deep. Another type, principally used in France, is known as 

 the "ridge bed," and requires more labor than the flat bed. The mushroom house 

 and shelves, if used, should be frequently disinfected and whitewashed in order 

 to avoid danger from insects and bacteria. The preparation of the beds and 

 subsequent operations will be shown in connection with the other subjects. 



PREPARATION OF THE MANURE. The best manure is obtained from 

 horses fed with an abundance of dry and nitrogenous food. The manure of 

 animals fed on greens is undesirable. Growers do not all follow the same method 

 of fermenting or composting the manure. When first unloaded, the manure is 

 left in its original state for a few days. It is then piled in heaps about three 

 feet deep and well pressed down. In this operation the material should be care- 

 fully forked and well mixed, and wherever found too dry, it should be lightly 

 sprinkled. It is allowed to remain in that condition for about six days when 

 it is again well forked and turned. In the latter operation it receives an addi- 



Figure 500. Mushroom Houses, Flat Beds. 



tional light sprinkling; the dry portions are turned inside in order that the whole 

 mass may be homogenous and uniformly moist, and the heap is again raised to 

 about three feet. About six days later the operation is repeated, and in about 

 three days the manure should be ready for the beds. It is then of a dark brown 

 color mixed with white, free from objectionable odor. It is unctuous, elastic and 

 moist, though not wet, and should not leave any moisture in the hand. 



