The Elusive Mushroom 163 



rules and did not sprout a mushroom! Finally, he 

 pitched the rich but recalcitrant soil out of his cellar 

 and into his barnyard, to the accompaniment of re- 

 marks unfit for publication. What was his surprise 

 to go out a few days later and behold his barnyard 

 white with mushrooms ! "Verily," he said, "the art of 

 growing mushrooms passeth all understanding." 



I recall a golden day in the San Francisco Bay region 

 when, with an inquisitive friend, I toured a district 

 where the mushroom is the object of quite general 

 attention. We found instances of varying success. 

 Just at the close of the day we came to a beautiful 

 home, occupying a half-acre of ground, with three 

 mushroom cellars at the rear of the lot. It was an 

 inspiring sight that awaited us. The mushrooms fairly 

 bubbled from the smooth, rounded beds, which covered 

 the floors of the cellars, and the proud proprietor was 

 in the act of making his second picking of the day. He 

 admitted that he was in the enjoyment of a handsome 

 income, and that he had found one of the most delight- 

 ful occupations in the world. 



It looked very simple and easy. Apparently there 

 was nothing about the construction of the houses that 

 might not be readily duplicated. There were three 

 of these houses, each 24x60 feet, and costing $600 

 each. The side walls were of concrete, and there were 

 two roofs, the under one of board, and the top of lath 

 allowing for the passage of air between. When we 

 congratulated him on having found the primrose path 

 to prosperity, he smiled grimly and said: "Yes, but for 

 six long, weary years I was a failure in this business. 

 I used all the money I had and all I could borrow, 



