VEGETABLE GROWING IN NEW SOUTH WALES. 63 



MUSHROOM. 



For the successful culture of mushrooms it is essential that the crop be 

 grown either in very rich " made " soil or in a prepared manure bed, and in 

 a temperature that does not exceed 86 degrees Fah., and does not fall below 

 50 degrees Fah. This second condition is obtained by making use of cellars, 

 disused tunnels, old houses, &c. 



Having obtained a suitable place, the bed must be prepared. Its chief 

 constituent should be good horse manure that is fairly free from long 

 straw, but several mixtures may be employed (a) a mixture of earth and 

 manure, (b) horse manure with no earth, (c) cow manure and horse manure 

 are also sometimes used, being mixed in equal quantities. 



Where earth and manure are used, it is quite usual to mix a fourth or fifth 

 part of good soil with manure fresh from the stable. The process of fermen- 

 tation is then slower, and the heat more constant. 



When manure only is used, the bed must be properly prepared, as stable 

 manure ferments quickly, and produces a degree of heat that is unsuitable for 

 the purpose. The method usually employed is to mix the manure thoroughly, 

 so as to make it of even character throughout, place it in square heaps about 

 3 feet high, and then beat or tread it down well. If it is a little dry it should 

 be moistened somewhat, and then left to ferment until the heat has increased 

 to such an extent that portions of the manure in the centre begin to turn 

 white, which usually occurs in about a week. It is then necessary to break 

 the heaps up and remake them as before, care being taken to place the material 

 that has been on the outside of the heap at first in the centre when it is 

 remade. Within a few days fermentation will have again increased so 

 much that it will be necessary to remake the heaps a second time. After 

 this treatment the manure will become a brown colour, and somewhat greasy. 

 It will be found that, in order to obtain the necessary consistency, the heaps 

 must not be of less size than a cubic yard. 



When in the required condition, the manure should be made into beds 

 about 2 feet high and 2 feet wide, and should have a flat surface, or, if 

 made against a wall they may slope from the wall to the floor. Beds are 

 .sometimes made in old tubs or half-casks. In any case they should be 

 firmed, and allowed to remain a few days in that condition before spawning. 



The correct time for spawning is when the temperature is about 78 degrees 

 Fah., and it is important that this should be determined with soine 

 accuracy. A thermometer should be used, a pointed dairy thermometer 

 being useful for this purpose. 



The spawn is sold in brick form by leading seedmen. For some days before 

 spawning these bricks should be kept in a moderately warm, moist place, 

 so as to stimulate the mycelium of the fungus. Sometimes they are moistened 



