372 FORCING GARDEN, 



planted into a good aspect, and trained against a wall or 

 trellis. The tender tops of any of the edible Cucurbitaceoe, 

 boiled as greens or spinach, form a delicate vegetable. 

 Melons and cucumbers, though requiring for their cultiva- 

 tion in the English climate the protection of glass and 

 walls, together with the highest degree of horticultural 

 skill, to bring to a maturity, at which they are very in- 

 ferior in flavor, ripen in the open air and attain great per- 

 fection under the burning midsummer sun of the United 

 States, especially the middle and southern portions. In- 

 formation relative to the various kinds and best modes of 

 culture will be found among the subjects included in the 

 Kitchen Garden. 



The Mushroom (Agaricus campestris), though not pro- 

 perly an inmate of the melonry, may appropriately enough, 

 from the nature of its culture, be taken along with the 

 plants grown in this department. It is a well-known fun- 

 gus, a general favorite, and esteemed a delicacy during 

 winter and the spring months. 



Mushrooms used to be grown in ridges or prepared beds, 

 in sheds, or covered with litter in the open air. Of late 

 years, the Russian form of the mushroom-house has been 

 introduced into Britain by Mr. Isaac Oldacre, and is now 

 in very general use. Its arrangement may be seen by in- 

 specting the back part of the vinery, a section of which is 

 given at page 336. Two tiers of boxes, three in each tier, 

 and supported by a strong framework, are constructed 

 round the whole house, with the exception of the spaces 

 occupied by a door and two windows. The boxes may be 

 from two feet and a half to three feet and a half broad, and 

 about a foot deep. The house is supposed to be heated by 

 hot-water circulation. In the centre d is a narrow pit, by 

 which the house may be worked by means of fermenting 



