98 KITCHEN-GARDENING. 



tating powers for many years, if well dried before it is laid up , 

 if moist, it will grow, and soon exhaust itself. 



Mushroom-beds are often formed in ridges in the open air, co- 

 vered with litter and mats, so as to prevent heavy rains exciting a 

 fermentation ; and sometimes in ridges of the same sort, under 

 cover, as in the open sheds of hot-houses. They are also made 

 in close sheds, behind hot-houses, or in houses built on pur- 

 pose, called Mushroom-houses. A moderately warm, light 

 cellar is peculiarly suited for the purpose, in the winter season, 

 as no fire is necessary, and but little water the application of 

 which frequently proves injurious when not judiciously ma- 

 naged. Mushrooms may also be raised in pots, boxes, ham- 

 pers, etc., placed in warm situations ; also in old beds, in pits 

 with glazed frames, and in dark frames or pits. 



The general way of making Mushroom-beds is to prepare a 

 body of stable-dung, moderately fermented, about a yard in 

 thickness, more or less, according to the size and situation in 

 which the bed is to be formed. When the strong heat has 

 subsided, an inch of good mould may be laid over it, and the 

 spawn planted therein in rows five or six inches apart. After 

 this is done, another layer of mould, an inch thick, may be 

 added, and then a coat of straw. Beds well constructed will 

 produce Mushrooms in five or six weeks, and will continue to 

 produce for several months, if care be taken in gathering not 

 to destroy the young ones. As Mushrooms are gathered 

 from tune to time, the straw should be spread carefully over 

 the bed, 



Beds made in a convenient place, where there is space all 

 around, may be formed so as to make four sloping surfaces, 

 similar to the roof of a house, which, by being spawned on the 

 four sides, will yield abundantly. The celebrated Mr. Nichol 

 makes his beds without spawn. The following are his direc- 

 tions, taken from London's Encyclopaedia of Gardening : 



" After having laid a floor of ashes, stones, chips, gravel, or 

 brick-bats, so as to keep the bed quite dry and free from under^ 

 damp, lay a course of horse-droppings six inches thick. These 



