410 



VEGETABLE FORCING 



Fig. 149. A New Jersey double duty house. Mushrooms are grown in the cellar 

 and plants and flowers in the greenhouse above. 



12 to 20 feet, but many of the modern ones are of much 

 greater width, and they may be hundreds of feet in length. 



The most economical use of the space is to construct 

 tiers of beds. The old houses seldom contained more 

 than two or three beds, while some of the new ones have 

 as many as five beds. Most growers prefer single beds of 

 about 3 feet or double ones of 6 or 7 feet in width. (See 

 Fig. 150.) The alleys should be at least 2 feet wide, and 

 many of them allow more space, for the convenient 

 handling of manure and other material. When the tiers 

 contain several beds, each 8 to 10 inches deep, provision 

 must be made for strong supports; 2 by 4 and 2 by 6 

 scantling are generally employed, or heavy gas pipe 

 makes a stronger, more durable and more sanitary frame, 

 and the boards are easily removed at any time the beds 

 are not in use. 



Mushrooms are grown in a few large caves in America. 

 Pits, small caves, cellars and barns are often used by 

 amateur growers. Florists and sometimes vegetable 

 gardeners grow mushrooms under greenhouse benches. 

 In fact, any place can be used which provides proper 

 cultural conditions, with special reference to heat and 

 moisture. There must be perfect drainage and the tern- 



