526 CATALOGUE OF FRUITS. 



to rot, and then, of course, the bed will be unproductive, whereas it ought 

 to produce for five or six weeks. The covering keeps the soil moist, espe- 

 cially when much exposed to the air. (J. WigUton, in G. M. for 1842.) 



1117. Mushroom spawn, planted in loam and dung, or in either, and 

 screened from sun and rain in summer, will produce this vegetable in 

 abundance ; and the same materials will produce the same effect, under 

 favourable circumstances, in winter ; such as being placed in boxes or 

 baskets in a stable or warm cellar. Mushrooms may be grown remarkably 

 well on dung-beds, covered with frames, having thatched hurdles or boards 

 instead of glass ; the surface of the bed being covered with hay, litter, or 

 dried shorn grass. 



Half-dried droppings of highly fed horses, good spawn, and a gentle moist 

 atmosphere, are the principal things to be attended to in cultivating the 

 mushroom. 



1118. In gathering mushrooms for present use, they may be cut; but, if 

 they are to be kept a few days, they must be got with the stem entire, which 

 is easily done by slipping it off with a gentle twist. 



1119. The duration of a crop of mushrooms varies from three to six 

 months, so that it is always safe to make up a bed or a couple of shelves 

 every three or four months. Very successful and economical modes of 

 growing the mushroom will be found in Callow's Improved Mode of Culture, 

 1831, post 8vo., 7*. Qd. ; and in Smith, on Cucumbers and Melons, 1839, 

 12mo., 4*. 



CHAPTER IV. 



CATALOGUE OF FRUITS. 



1120. The fruits usually cultivated in British Gardens are, for the greater 

 part, borne on trees and shrubs, but some are on herbaceous plants. They are 

 mostly natives of temperate climates, and cultivated in the open garden, but 

 a few are natives of warm or tropical countries, and require the protection 

 of glass and artificial heat. The whole may be arranged, either systema- 

 tically, or according to their natures ; or geographically, or according to the 

 climates in which they are indigenous ; and this last arrangement will also 

 indicate the classification which may be made with reference to their treat- 

 ment in a state of culture. 



1121. Botanically, the fruits usually cultivated in British gardens, are 

 classed by the natural system, or according to their natures, as follows : 



Berberacece. Berberis, the barberry. 



Aurantidcece. Citrus, the orange, lemon, citron, lime, and shaddock. 



Vitacea. Vitis, the grape. 



Amj^dalmece. Amygdalus, the almond, peach, and nectarine; Armeniaca, the 

 apricot ; Primus, the plum, and Cerasus, the cherry. 



Pomacece. Pyrus, the apple, the pear, and the service; Cydonia, the 

 quince ; Mespilus, the medlar ; and Eriobotrya, the Japan quince. 



Rosacetz. Rtibus, the raspberry, and Fragaria, the strawberry. 



Granatdcetp. Punica, the pomegranate. 





