36 



In the construction of special mushroom houses any one of a va- 

 riety of plans may be followed, and the selection of style will depend 

 upon its cheapness and efficiency in the particular locality. 



Preparation of the Manure. 



It should be borne in mind that while there are many methods 

 leading to failure there are a number leading to success. In fact, 

 persons succeed in mushroom growing by methods which seem ab- 

 solutely different. It is essential that the physiological conditions of 

 growth be understood, and then good judgment must be depended 

 upon. 



In the growing of mushrooms for commercial purposes the beds 

 should be constructed of stable manure which has been fermented or 

 composted. Many experiments have been made looking toward the 

 substitution of other composts or waste products for stable manure, 

 but nothing has yet been found which may be more higlily recom- 

 mended. Fresh manure should be obtained, and tliis should include 

 the litter used for bedding the animals, unless the latter consists of 

 coarse weeds. It is a great mistake in a commercial way to attempt 

 to use manure free from straw. Again, stable manure which has been 

 well trampled is nearly always well preserved, and is frequently much 

 richer than any other kind. 



The manure should be piled in heaps about 3 feet deep when well 

 pressed down with the fork, and these piles may be of considerable 

 extent. It should be watered until well moistened throughout, but 

 not drenched. In the course of four or five days or a week it will 

 be necessary to fork over or "turn" the manure. A second turning 

 will be required usually in from seven to ten days, and it may be 

 necessary to water again if the material has suffered considerable 

 drying out. If well pressed down and merely moist, the manure v/ill 

 not burn, and, moreover, there will be no tendency for a sour fermen- 

 tation to become established. In from fifteen to twenty-one days, 

 depending upon conditions, the temperature will begin to fall, the 

 violence of decomposition will begin to show a subsidence, and the 

 compost will be ready for the construction of the beds. The bacteria 

 of rapid decay will become less and less abundant, and finally, when 

 the beds are prepared as subsequently described, the spawn will be 

 able to grow in spite of the bacteria present. 



It is the custom with some growers to mix a small quantity of loam, 

 about one-fourth, with the manure. This enables one to use the 

 manure earlier; and, indeed, under such circumstances it may some- 

 times be used with but little or no composting. Nevertheless, the 

 majority of growers have obtained greater success by the use of the 

 manure alone, and this is also the writer's experience. Very well 

 rotted compost should not be used in mushroom growing if large and 

 solid mushrooms are desired. When sawdust or shavings are employed 



