The Culture of Vegetables 



eighteen inches of litter or more during hard frost or the prevalence 

 of a cutting east wind, a much thinner covering will suffice in 

 milder weather. 



The question will arise as to the period of the year when opera- 

 tions should be commenced. Well, the experts who grow Mushrooms 

 in the open ground for market gather crops almost the year round ; 

 but a beginner will do wisely to start under the most favourable 

 natural conditions, and these will be found about midsummer, 

 because the bed will commence bearing before winter creates difficulty 

 as to temperature. A rich firm bed, that has been well managed in 

 the fermentation, will produce firm, handsome Mushrooms. A poor, 

 loose bed will produce only lean, ugly Mushrooms. It is surprising 

 to note the difference in samples as they are presented at exhibitions, 

 and it is perhaps not less surprising that so many should be content 

 with poor samples, when it is a very easy matter indeed, after a little 

 practice, to produce the best. That the spawn has something to do 

 with the final quality is well known, and this, for practical purposes, 

 may be regarded as the seed of the Mushroom. 



Should the temperature of the bed, through inexperience in the 

 management of it, sink below the point at which Mushrooms can 

 grow, we advise the exercise -of a little patience. We have known 

 several instances of beds made in autumn producing no crop at the 

 expected time, but which have borne fairly in the following spring or 

 summer. But in the event of the first effort failing outright there is 

 no great loss. The manure, which is the most costly item, will still 

 be available for the garden, and an observant man will pretty 

 well understand in what respect he must amend his course of 

 procedure. 



Moisture is of great consequence, for a dry Mushroom bed will 

 soon be barren also ; but whenever water is given it must be applied 

 tepid and from a fine rose. To slop cold water over a Mushroom 

 bed is about as reasonable a procedure as putting ice into hot soup. 

 Water is best administered in the afternoon of a genial day, and 

 should be sufficient to saturate the bed. Immediately it is done the 

 covering of litter and canvas must be promptly restored to prevent 

 the temperature from being seriously lowered by rapid evaporation. 

 A couple of stakes driven from the crown to the bottom of the bed 

 at the time of making up the heap are useful as indicators of 

 moisture, and may occasionally be drawn out and examined. 



In gathering the crop, only a small portion of the bed should be 

 uncovered at a time. This should be the rule at all seasons, and the 



84 



