78 THE CULTURE OF VEGETABLES 



eighteen inches of litter or more during hard frost or the prevalence 

 of a cutting east wind, a much thinner covering will suffice in 

 milder weather. 



The question will arise as to the period of the year when opera- 

 tions should be commenced. Well, the experts who grow Mushrooms 

 in the open ground for market gather crops almost the year round ; 

 but a beginner will do wisely to start under the most favourable natural 

 conditions, and these will be found about midsummer, because the 

 bed will commence bearing before winter creates difficulty as to 

 temperature. A rich firm bed, that has been well managed in the 

 fermentation, will produce firm, handsome Mushrooms. A poor, 

 loose bed will produce only lean, ugly Mushrooms. It is surprising 

 to note the difference in samples as they are presented at exhibitions, 

 and it is perhaps not less surprising that so many should be content 

 with poor samples, when it is a very easy matter indeed, after a little 

 practice, to produce the best. That the spawn has something to do 

 with the final quality is well known, as this, for all practical purposes, 

 may be regarded as the seed of the Mushroom. 



It may happen in the first attempt that the temperature of the 

 bed may, through inexperience in the management of it, sink below the 

 point at which Mushrooms can grow, and then we advise the exercise 

 of a little patience. We have known several instances of beds made 

 in autumn producing no crop at the expected time, but which have 

 borne fairly in the following spring or summer. But in the event of 

 the first effort failing outright there is no great loss, for the most 

 costly item the manure will still be available for the garden, and 

 an observant man will pretty well understand in what respect he must 

 amend his course of procedure. 



Moisture is of great consequence, for a dry Mushroom bed will 

 soon be barren also ; but whenever water is given it must be applied 

 tepid from a fine rose, for to slop cold water over a Mushroom bed 

 is about as reasonable a procedure as putting ice into hot soup. 

 Water is best administered in the afternoon of a genial day, and 

 should be sufficient to saturate the bed. Immediately it is done the 

 covering of litter and canvas must be promptly restored to prevent 

 the temperature from being seriously lowered by rapid evaporation. 

 A couple of stakes driven from the crown of the bed to the bottom 

 of it at the time of making up the heap are useful as indicators of 

 moisture, and may occasionally be drawn out and examined. 



In gathering the crop, only a small portion of the bed should be 

 uncovered at a time. This should be the rule at all seasons, and the 



