268 STUDIES OF AMERICAN FUNGI. 



ditions under which the mushrooms grow in cultivation are such 

 that the surface of the bed is more moist, and is less subject to vari- 

 ations in the content of moisture, than is the surface of the ground 

 in pastures. Although there may be abundant rains in the fields, 

 the currents of air over the surface of the ground, at other times, 

 quickly dries out the upper layers of the soil. But indoors the 

 mycelium often runs to the surface of the bed, and there forms the 

 numerous pinheads which are the beginnings of the mushrooms. 

 The beds at this stage often present numerous clusters of the 

 mycelium and these minute pinheads crowded very closely together. 

 Hundreds or perhaps thousands of these minute beginnings of 

 mushrooms occur within a small space. There are very few of 

 these, however, that reach the point of the mature mushroom. Few 

 only of the pinheads grow to form the button, and the others abort, 

 or cease to grow. Others are torn out while the larger ones are 

 being picked. 



The time at which the mushrooms are picked varies within cer- 

 tain limits, with the different growers. Most cultivators, especially 

 those who grow the mushrooms in houses, consider 60 F. the desir- 

 able temperature for the growth of mushrooms, that is, at a room 

 temperature of 60 (while some recommend 57). The temper- 

 ature of the beds themselves will be slightly above 'this. Under 

 these conditions, that is, where the mushrooms are grown at a room 

 temperature of about 60, they open very quickly. It is necessary 

 here to gather the mushrooms before they open, that is, before the 

 veil on the under surface breaks to expose the gill surface. This 

 practice is followed, of course, within certain limits. It is not possi- 

 ble in all cases, to pick every mushroom before the veil breaks. 

 They are collected once a day usually. At the time of collection all 

 are taken which are of suitable size. Many of them may not yet 

 have opened. But in the case of some of the older or more rapidly 

 growing ones, the veil may have broken, although they have not 

 expanded very much. 



Some follow the method of having the fireman, on his round at 

 night, when he looks after the fires in the heating room, gather the 

 mushrooms. He passes through all parts of the house and picks the 

 mushrooms which are of suitable size. These are gathered by 

 grasping a single mushroom by the cap, or where there is a cluster 

 of mushrooms close together, several are taken in the hand. The 

 plant is twisted slightly to free the stem from the soil, without tear- 

 ing it up to any great extent. They are thrown in this condition 

 into baskets. The collector then takes them to the packing room, 



