Vegetable Growing for Market 117 



20. MUSHROOMS 



Mushroom growing is reputed to be rather a gamble, owing to the 

 doubtful results, and it is certain that success is not obtained unless the 

 grower devotes a great deal of time and attention to every detail. It 

 is only by taking every care and precaution that regular and paying 

 crops can be secured. 



If the grower succeeds in obtaining a good crop it is one of the most 

 profitable that can be grown, but if only a poor crop is obtained, the returns 

 are swamped by the outlay. Those situated near large cities have the best 

 chance of success in the growing of mushrooms, as not only is the manure 

 cheaper, but it is also fresher, and retains a far greater percentage of 

 ammonia. Contracts are made to clear a number of stables regularly all 

 the year round, and in this way the cautious grower makes sure that 

 the manure is free from disinfectants. If he is unable to do this it must 

 be bought by the yard Is. 3d. to Is. 9d. per yard, delivered, being the 

 usual price. For those growers who are not near enough to a city for 

 either of the above methods, manure must be obtained from a contractor, 

 who will put it on rail at so much per ton 2s. a ton is a fair price, 

 with carriage in addition. But in whatever way the manure is obtained, 

 the important points are to get it free from disinfectants and peat litter; 

 with either in, manure is not worth the getting. The best plan is to have 

 it put on hard ground under a roof of galvanized iron. At any rate, 

 provision should be made to shoot off rain. 



Preparation. The first step is to turn over the heap and damp 

 it out. It is possible sometimes in winter to prepare it without using 

 a drop of water, but this is an infrequent occurrence. The objects to 

 be arrived at are: to thoroughly mix the manure, to sweeten it, to fix 

 the ammonia, and to add just sufficient moisture to carry the crop through. 

 Not more of it should be placed on the heap than the workmen can manage 

 in a day. With forks specially adapted for the purpose, the men then 

 proceed to shake it out, throwing all rubbish away, and taking out merely 

 the longest of the straw. In this and all subsequent turnings the manure 

 should be shaken in little heaps at the workers' feet, and then thrown with 

 a scattering motion to the front, starting the fresh heap about 9 ft. in front 

 of the old one. As this is being done another man, stationed with a hose, 

 must damp it down, a process that requires a good deal of discretion, 

 and one that it is very difficult to describe in print. A rough-and-ready 

 test is this: after a little has been done, draw a handful from the centre 

 and wring it between the two hands. If it leaves them just wet, it will 

 probably be sufficiently damp; if the straw itself is very diy, more water 

 will be necessary. The ground must be kept clear as the work proceeds, 

 using a shovel to throw the droppings to the top of the heap. Care should 

 be taken not to pack the sides too firmly, or they are likely to dry out and 

 will become covered with a white mould. The heap should be made about 



