MUSHROOMS 413 



forked ov^r, in order to keep all parts of the pile equally 

 moist. Manure hauled from the cars nearly always re- 

 quires a large amount of water when it is placed in a pile. 

 The temperature will rise to possibly 150 degrees, but in 

 three to four weeks it should drop to about 130 degrees, 

 and if the manure has lost its unpleasant odors, and the 

 straw has become dark brown in color, and the material 

 friable and containing the right amount of moisture, the 

 beds may be filled. Four large wagonloads of manure 

 will generally be sufficient for 1,000 square feet of beds. 



Preparation of beds. As stated in the previous para- 

 graph, the manure may be placed in the beds after the 

 temperature has receded to about 130 degrees. If the 

 beds are to be made on the ground, there should be no 

 uncertainty about them being perfectly drained. 



Practically all American growers prefer to make flat 

 beds rather than ridged ones. Flat beds are the simplest 

 to make, and they are more economical of space where 

 tiers of beds are constructed. Ridged beds are about 2 

 feet wide at the base, they taper gradually to the top and 

 are 12 to 15 inches high. They are generally arranged in 

 groups of twos with approximately 12-inch alleys be- 

 tween each pair of beds. This plan is followed in the 

 French caves, where it possesses distinct advantages, 

 especially in providing a larger total area of bed surface 

 when all of the beds are made on the ground. This 

 system is sometimes seen in low commercial houses of 

 America, or in private cellars and pits. 



When flat beds are made in cellars or caves, some 

 growers prefer a total depth of 12 to 14 inches, several 

 inches or perhaps the lower half of this depth being com- 

 posed of fresh, hot manure and the upper half of specially 

 composted manure. The hot manure furnishes some heat 

 after the beds have been planted or spawned, and this is 

 thought to be of value in locations which are not ade- 

 quately heated. Growers operating large commercial 



