No. 4.] GROWING OF MUSHROOMS. 385 



the holes filled with soil, in order to prevent decay. Mush- 

 rooms can be kept in a cool, dark })lace for two or three 

 days after picking, with little detriment. 



Price of Mushrooms. 

 Mushrooms, like other crops, are usually assorted into 

 grades, which l)ring different prices. The price of mush- 

 rooms usually varies from one season to another, and also 

 during the same season. A No. 1 product will bring $1 per 

 pound during certain seasons, while at other seasons it will 

 sell from 25 cents to 50 cents per pound. During the past 

 winter mushrooms were as low as 25 cents per pound at one 

 time in the Boston market. 



Diseases of Mushroo3is. 



There are a few troubles caused by fungi, insects, etc., 

 which occasionally give rise to loss of mushrooms. Among 

 some of the troubles experienced, the following may be 

 mentioned. Dark-colored spots coming on the cap of the 

 mushroom, which induce decaj^ and render them unfit for 

 the market. These are caused hy eel worms, which are 

 minute microscopic worms similar to those frequently giving 

 trouble to tomatoes, cucumbers and various other plants. 

 Various animals, such as maggots, wood lice and sow bugs, 

 occasionally give rise to trouble, and there are certain rots 

 caused by fungous gro^vths which sometimes damage the 

 crop. 



On account of very little attention having been given to 

 the diseases of mushrooms, no definite specific remedies 

 have been suggested for many of these troul)les. No doubt 

 there are, however, cultural methods which could be ap- 

 plied, that would prove of some value in exterminating or 

 controlling the ravages of these various organisms. 



