MUSHROOMS 183 



the case of larger beds made in the open air ; and as 

 the prices vary from 6d. to 2s. per lb., according to 

 circumstances and seasons, one may form some idea 

 as to whether the industry is remunerative or not. 

 At the same time the enormous expenses entailed in 

 the production must not be overlooked. 



It sometimes happens that the beds become too 

 dry. They are then moistened with tepid water ; and 

 it is necessary to apply it by means of a fine-rosed 

 water-can, so that the soil shall not be broken down 

 from the manure it is encasing. 



Diseases. The mushroom-growers of Paris have to 

 contend with a fungoid disease called the " molle " 

 that attacks the Mushrooms sometimes so badly 

 that the caves have to be abandoned for some time, 

 and thoroughly cleaned out. One of the chief causes 

 .of trouble, apparently, is the lack of fresh air. It is, 

 therefore, of the greatest importance that fires 

 should be kept going constantly so that the air in 

 remote ends of the tunnels may be kept as pure as 

 possible. 



Tiny black flies, like Pear-midges or mites, often 

 find their way into the mushroom caves, and play 

 havoc with the crop occasionally. The best way to 

 get rid of them is to burn sulphur or brimstone in 

 the caves before starting a new crop. 



Preparation of Mushroom Spawn. The spawn used 

 by the Parisian grower is quite different in appearance 

 from that used in England. Here the spawn is made 

 up in solid bricks or cakes, 8 or 9 in. long, 4 or 5 in. 

 wide, and about i-J- in. in thickness a fair quantity 

 of cow-manure being used in its preparation. In 

 Paris, on the other hand, cow-manure is never used 



