38 



CANADIAN FARM YEAR BOOK. 



the same as we obtained 'by subtract- 

 ing the total falls from the total rises. 

 Thus the last column, while not ab- 

 solutely essential, is the most con- 

 venient means of comparing any one 



our survey at the source instead of 

 at the outlet, we would choose for 

 the elevation of the starting point 

 some height greater than the total 

 fall to the outlet, 

 station with any other. If starting 



Mushrooms 



Success in mushroom growing de- 

 pends on intelligent study of con- 

 ditions and on experience. While 

 many American growers have been 

 successful in the production of mush- 

 rooms, a much larger number have 

 failed. In most cases their failures 

 have been due to one or more of the 

 following causes: 



(1) The use of poor sipawn, or of 

 spawn Tvhich has been killed by im- 

 proper storage. 



(2) Spawning at a temperature in 

 juriously high. 



(3) The use of too much water 

 either at the time of spawning or 

 later. 



(4) Unfavorable temperature dur- 

 ing the growing period. 



It is therefore important to the pro- 

 spective grower that careful atten- 

 tion be given to the general discus- 

 sion of conditions which follows. 



Temperature and Moisture. 



Mushrooms may he grown in any 

 place where the conditions of tem- 

 perature 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 temper- 

 ature ranges from 53° to 60° P., with 

 the hest from 55° to 58° F. It is un- 

 safe to attempt to grow mushrooms 

 on a commercial basis, according to 

 our present knowledge of the subject, 

 at a temperature much less than 50' 

 or greater than 63° F. Any severe 

 changes of temperature retard growth, 

 or else act injuriously, and many 

 changes of temperature would en- 

 tirely destroy the profits of the mush- 

 room crop. From this it is evident 

 that in many places mushrooms may 

 not be grown as a summer crop. With 

 artificial heat they mav be grown al- 

 most anywhere throughout the win- 

 ter. Moreover, it is very prohable 

 that in this country open-air culture 

 musit he limited to a few sections, and 



restricted, commercially at least, to a 

 single season. 



A second important factor is that of 

 moisture. The place should not be 

 very damp, or constantly dripping 

 with water. Under such conditions 

 successful commercial work is not pos- 

 sible.. A place where it is possible to 

 maintain a fairly moist condition of the 

 atmosphere, and having such capa- 

 bility for ventilation as will cause at 

 least a gradual evaporation, is, by 

 general practice and by the most ex- 

 tensive experimentation, shown to be 

 necessary. With too rapid ventila- 

 tion and the consequent necessity of 

 repeated applications of water to the 

 mushroom bed no mushroom crop 

 will attain the highest perfection. 



Caves, Cellars, and Houses. 



Cellars, caves and abandoned mines, 

 or specially constructed houses, (fig. 

 3) are used for growing mushrooms, 

 ■because in such places only can the 

 conditions of temperature and mois- 

 ture be best regulated. Cold is less 

 injurious to mushroom beds than 

 heat. The former renders the bed 

 for a time unproductive; but the lat- 

 ter stimulates the spawn to too rapid 

 growth, which is usually followed by 

 the production of unsaleable mush- 

 rooms, or by the eventual death of 

 the spawn, supposedly by damping 

 off. 



Mushroom^s may often be grown in 

 a very simply constructed shed or 

 unused barn which will provide 

 against any sudden changes of the 

 temperature, and when it is possible 

 to employ artificial heat the season 

 for mushroom production in such 

 structures may be greatly extended. 

 Cellars are very commonly used in 

 producing mushrooms for family use. 

 Natural or artificial caves are of the 

 first importance, however, for com- 

 mercial work, since the situation of 

 these below the surface will best in- 

 sure a temperature throughout almost 

 the entire year more or less close to 

 that which is desired. In selecting 



