On the CtiUivation of the Mushroom. 157 



ficient to give me a start ; this I put into my bed, and as soon 

 as it began to work, I lost no chance of separating it, and dis- 

 tributing it as equally as possible over the bed. By using this 

 precaution, and a judicious attention to my watering-pot, I 

 soon had the satisfaction of seeing the prospect of a rich har- 

 vest; and, indeed, I was not disappointed; for the produce, I 

 must confess, has rather out-weighed my expectations. The 

 first mushroom I gathered, was on the 22d of December, 

 since which time, I have gathered, on an average, one peck 

 per week. The bed is still improving, and I have no doubt 

 but I shall be able to give a better supply for at least three 

 months longer from the same bed, when I shall more than 

 likely give it a month's rest, and then start it ahead again, 

 when I shall furnish you with the results of my second pro- 

 gress. 



It now remains to detail the mode of treatment since the 

 bed was spawned, and, as the judicious applications of water 

 are of the highest importance in the successful cultivation of 

 the mushroom, I shall give the mode pursued by myself 

 durhig the past winter, which I suppose will apply best for 

 the system described above. I gave no water till the spawn 

 began to run, which I was able to ascertain by thrusting my 

 hand into the bed in various places, and when what 1 brought 

 up had the appearance of net-work, and smelled like mush- 

 rooms, I gave the bed a liberal watering, which 1 repeated 

 the two following days. I was then sure that I had given 

 sufficient to moisten all the materials in the bed. This set the 

 spawn actively to work, and I have only given a light sprink- 

 ling once a week since, which has kept the bed in a medium 

 state, neither wet nor dry; but of the two I prefer the latter, 

 as it is much easier at any time to wet the materials than to 

 dry them ; and too much water, in any stage of their growth, 

 is certain destruction. With regard to temperature, 1 have 

 seldom had it below 50° and never above 60° and between 

 these two points, I am convinced, from a long course of ex- 

 perience, that mushrooms can be produced in the very high- 

 est state of perfection. 



In gathering mushrooms, I always cut them; some twist 

 them off, but I am not much in favor of this plan, as they are 

 sure to disturb the young ones, which are always clustering 



VOL. XIV. NO. IV. 14 



