OTHER USES OF LAND 121 



the growth of mushrooms within the past few years, and 

 it is to be hoped and expected that within the next ten years 

 the industry will develop to the fullest limit of the market 

 demands. The demand will, of course, be stimulated by the 

 increasing popular appreciation of this product. In some 

 cities and towns there is already a good market for mush- 

 rooms, while in others they may be sold directly to special 

 customers. This should be borne in mind by prospective 

 growers. 



While many American growers have been successful, a 

 much larger number have failed. In most cases their fail- 

 ures have been due to one or more of the following causes : 



(1) Poor spawn, or spawn which has been killed by im- 

 proper storage. 



(2) Spawning at a temperature injuriously high. 



(3) Too much water either at the tune of spawning or 

 later. 



(4) Unfavorable temperature during the growing period. 

 It is therefore important to the prospective grower that 

 careful attention be given to the general discussion of con- 

 ditions which follow. 



Mushrooms may be grown in any place where the con- 

 ditions of temperature and moisture are favorable. A shed, 

 cellar, cave, or vacant space in a greenhouse may be utilized 

 to advantage for this purpose. The most essential factor, 

 perhaps, is that of temperature. The proper temperature 

 ranges from 53 to 60 R, with the best from 55 to 58 F. 

 It is unsafe to attempt to grow mushrooms on a commercial 

 basis, according to our present knowledge of the subject, 

 in a temperature much less than 50 or greater than 63 F. 

 Any severe changes of temperature would entirely destroy 

 the profits of the mushroom crop. From this it is evident 



