FORCING MUSHROOMS. 125 



plants, &c. (See article Cabbage.) For such Head Lettuce 

 as may be wanted for use before Christmas, the Hardy Green, 

 the Loco Foco, and Coss, are the most suitable kinds to 

 sow ; and plants may be raised in the open border by sow- 

 ing seed two or three times between the middle of August 

 and the first week in September. The plants from these 

 sowings may be set out, about six inches apart, in cold-beds, 

 when they are one or two inches high. 



In September and early in October, some of the Silesia, 

 Sugar Loaf, Butter Lettuce, or any other esteemed sorts, 

 may be sown in a cold-bed frame, which, with the aid of 

 sashes, will produce plants in from a month to six weeks ; 

 these being planted in gentle hot-beds in November and 

 December, will produce Head Lettuce until a plentiful sup- 

 ply can be obtained from the open borders. The same at- 

 tention is necessary, as respects the protection of these beds, 

 as for other half-hardy plants. 



FORCING MUSHROOMS AT ALL SEASONS. 



THE Jlgaricus is said to be the most extensive genus in 

 the vegetable kingdom. The species are determined upon 

 various principles. As some of the kinds are poisonous, it 

 is necessary to describe the eatable Mushroom. London 

 says, it is most readily distinguished when of a middle size, 

 by its fine pink or flesh-coloured gills, and pleasant smell. 

 In a more advanced age, the gills become of a chocolate 

 colour, and it is then more apt to be confounded with other 

 kinds of dubious quality ; but that species which most nearly 

 resembles it, is slimy to the touch, destitute of fine odour, 

 and has a disagreeable smell. 



Again : the noxious kinds grow in woods, while the true 

 Mushroom springs up chiefly in open pastures, and should 

 be gathered only in such places. 



Unwholesome /imgi will sometimes spring up on artificial 



