strict observance of it will prevent a mistake in cold weather, for 

 then, if the bed is carelessly uncovered and much chilled, the crop 

 will come to an end, when perhaps it would, if properly handled, be 

 at high tide and full of profit. Another rule should be enforced, to 

 this effect, that every Mushroom must be taken out complete, and if 

 the root -does not come with the stem, it must be dug out with a 

 knife. Any trifling with this rule will prove a costly mistake. The 

 root of a Mushroom, if left in the ground, will produce nothing at 

 all. But it may attract flies, and it certainly will interfere with the 

 movements of the mycelium at that particular spot, and actually 

 prevent the production of any more Mushrooms. The old prac- 

 titioners were accustomed to leave the root in the ground, and they 

 were content with about one-third of the crop now produced on beds 

 that are, perhaps, not better made than were theirs. But they had a 

 notion about the powers of the root which increased knowledge of 

 the subject has shown to be fallacious. 



- The facility with which Mushrooms may be raised under simple 

 methods is illustrated by the practice of growing them inside the 

 turf walls of cool pits. In the country turf walls are common, and 

 they offer the advantage of growing Mushrooms in addition to the 

 purpose they usually serve. After determining the size of the pit, 

 and accurately marking it on the ground, cut the turf into narrow 

 strips,, say three or four inches wide, and of exactly eighteen inches 

 length. The strips should be closely laid, grass side downwards, 

 across the width of the walls not longitudinally except at the 

 comers, where the layers should cross each other. The front and 

 back walls to be rather above the required height, because the turf 

 always settles down a little, and the two ends must gradually rise 

 from front to back. The top layer may be right side up, when it will 

 keep green for a long time. As the work proceeds insert lumps of 

 spawn at intervals in every layer, about three or four inches from the 

 inside edge. A wooden frame will be requisite on the top to carry 

 the glass lights. This structure makes a useful cool pit and a 

 Mushroom bed from which supplies may sometimes be gathered for 

 years. In the summer it will be necessary to keep the walls moist 

 by means of the syringe, or they will cease bearing. 



But Mushrooms may be grown almost anywhere, even in a cellar, 

 or on the wall of a warm stable, provided only that the mode of pro- 

 cedure is in a reasonable degree adapted to the requirements of the 

 fungus. Ordinary pits and frames are also serviceable, and many 

 gardeners obtain good crops in autumn by the simple process of 



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