VEGETABLES 63 



beating them with care and to clear up anything 

 which would affect the growth of the mushrooms. 

 The tops and sides of the beds must be covered 

 with earth, which should be light and fresh, rich in 

 saltpetre, and contain some proportion of lime. 

 Old plaster broken up is good for this purpose, and 

 should at first be watered with a weak solution of 

 saltpetre or liquid farmyard manure. 



Before putting on the soil, the heap should be 

 lightly moistened, and the earth put on the top and 

 sides to the thickness of half an inch, and pressed 

 firmly against the dung, and made very smooth. 

 After this, all that is necessary to do is to water 

 from time to time, or to replace the straw covering 

 if it becomes removed from the bed. The surface 

 of the bed should remain fresh and moist without 

 being too damp. 



If the waterings, which ought always to be light, 

 are not sufficient, the soil round the base of the bed 

 should be watered, which will absorb the necessary 

 moisture. 



Some weeks later mushrooms will begin to 

 appear. When picking the mushrooms the holes 

 left should be filled with the same earth which has 

 been used to cover the bed. The production ex- 

 tends generally from two to four months if left to 

 itself, but it can be maintained longer by means of 

 lightly watering, the water having guano added to 

 it. The temperature of the water should be from 

 68° to Zt"" Fahr., but great care is necessary in 

 watering, so as not to injure or dirty the growing 

 mushrooms, as through neglect of these precautions 

 mildew and rottenness will often occur. 



Pull up all mushrooms which appear soft and 

 yellowish, throw out the earth which is around 



