444 THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



drawn, or they would become mouldy and spoil the Mushrooms in 

 their immediate vicinity. The empty openings should be closed by 

 gentle pressure, the surface made smooth again, and the surround- 

 ing place carefully swept and cleaned of all decaying matter. The 

 top and sides of the bed should then be covered with a thin layer 

 of soil, for which a light mould should be used, slightly moistened, 

 but not too wet. If possible use virgin soil of a light nature and 

 containing some lime, or old plaster finely crushed, sieved, and 

 mixed with quarry sand. If the material chosen does not itself 

 contain saltpetre, give a watering with a weak solution of this or 

 liquid manure. The soil should not be thicker than about J in., 

 and should be pressed down sufficiently to make it adhere firmly 

 to the surface of the bed in every part. When the surface becomes 

 dry, light waterings should be given sparingly. If the place is 



Mushroom-bed in the Open Air, protected with Straw. 



inclined to be dry, the surrounding soil or walls may be sprinkled 

 with water to help maintain the bed in a permanent state of moderate 

 moisture. Where a covering of litter or hay has been removed to 

 perform any operation, it must be replaced at once. 



In a few weeks after the layer of soil has been added, sooner or 

 later according to the temperature, the Mushrooms begin to appear, 

 and, in gathering them, care should be taken to fill the cavities left 

 with the same soil which covers the bed. All injured or diseased 

 Mushrooms should be at once removed, together with the soil 

 adhering to them. 



The bed will of itself continue to yield for two or three months, 

 and for a longer time if watered with liquid manure, guano, or 

 saltpetre ; the results being much better if the liquid is of the 

 temperature of from 20 to 30 C, or 70 to 86 Fahr., when 

 applied. Watering, however, should be done carefully, so as not 



