380 



BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



mens thriving in such localities. When mushrooms are 

 grown for the market on a commercial basis, it is essential 

 that all of the conditions be made as desirable as possible 

 for their growth and develo})ment, in order that a large and 

 profitable crop may be obtained. It is necessary that a uni- 

 form degree of temperature, be maintained, and that the 

 crops be secluded from draits and sunshine. Total dark- 

 ness, however, is not absolutely necessary, since mushrooms 



grow well in diffuse light. 

 Uniform temperature and 

 moisture conditions are more 

 likely to exist in dark places, 

 and it is for this reason that 

 mushrooms are grown in the 

 dark. Those who o:row 

 mushi'ooms commercially 

 make use of cellars, barns, 

 sheds, tunnels and space un- 

 der greenhouse benches, etc., 

 as well as in specially con- 

 structed mushroom houses. 

 It is desirable, however, to 

 have a tolerably dry foundation for a mushroom bed. The 

 conditions of a cellar can be made suitable for mushroom 

 growing, especially for amateurs who wish to go into the 

 business on a small scale. By partitioning off a portion of 

 the cellar and closing up the windows more constant and 

 uniform conditions can be obtained. Space under green- 

 house benches can be made especially suited to mushroom 

 culture, and many growers take advantage of this space for 

 their propagation. 



Fig. 



. — A group of miislirooms {Agariais 

 camp e sir is) . 



Conditions adapted to Mushroom Growing. 

 Soil. — The most suitable soil conditions for mushroom 

 culture consist in supplying the beds with plenty of good 

 horse manure, mixed with loam or decomposed sod, mixing 

 a])out one-fourth or one-fifth loam or decomposed sod with 

 manure. Either fresh or partially rotted manure can be 

 used, and this should repeatedly be well worked over, com- 



