130 FORCING MUSHROOMS. 



stable or dry cellar, or a flued shed, it will begin to produce, 

 and often sooner ; but if the situation of the bed be cold, it 

 will sometimes be two or three months in producing Mush- 

 rooms." 



It may be necessary to state farther, that extremes of heat, 

 cold, drought, and moisture, should be avoided in the culti- 

 vation of Mushrooms. If the temperature keeps up to 50 in 

 the winter, the beds will be safe, and the heat in the beds 

 may rise to 60 or even 70 without injury. Air also must 

 be admitted in proportion to the heat, and 60 should be 

 aimed at as a medium temperature. Water, when given a 

 little at a time, is better than too much at once, after the 

 spawn has begun to spread ; and the water for this purpose 

 should always be made blood warm. A light covering of 

 straw may be used to preserve moisture on the surface ; and 

 if the beds are made in open frames, or otherwise subject to 

 exposure, the straw may be laid thicker than on beds made 

 in a cellar. 



Should beds fail in producing Mushrooms after having 

 been kept over hot or wet, it may be inferred that the spawn 

 is injured or destroyed ; but if, on the contrary, a bed that 

 has been kept moderately warm and dry, should happen to 

 be unproductive, such bed may be well replenished with 

 warm water, and a coat of warm dung may be laid over the 

 whole. If this does not enliven the bed after having lain a 

 month, take off the earth ; and if, on examination, there is 

 no appearance of spawn, the whole may be destroyed; but 

 if, on the contrary, the bed should contain spawn, it may be 

 renovated by covering it again, especially if any small tuber- 

 cles be discernible ; if the heat should have declined, the 

 spawn may be taken out and used in a fresh bed. If beds 

 oe formed in hot-bed frames under glass, some mats or straw 

 must be laid over the glass to break off the intense heat of 

 the sun. 



Although only one species of edible fungi has yet been 

 introduced into the garden, there are several eatable kinds. 



