CHAPTER XX 



MUSHROOM CULTURE 



THERE is little food value in mushrooms and, on this 

 account, some gardeners prefer to spend their energies 

 on raising other crops. But as this edible fungus is 

 extremely tasty and, by careful cooking, can add con- 

 siderable attractiveness to an otherwise commonplace 

 meal, there is much to be said in favour of cultivating, 

 at least, a limited supply. 



The first thing for the mushroom grower to do is to 

 obtain one or more bricks of the spawn they cost about 

 ninepence each and as these quickly deteriorate it is 

 highly necessary that they should be purchased from 

 a reputable dealer who guarantees his stock. When 

 broken, the severed edges of a good brick will reveal a 

 network of fine, silvery, glistening threads, but if these 

 resemble strands of coarse white cotton or if the faces of 

 the brick are at all mouldy, we can be fairly certain that 

 the purchase is old and not suitable for cultivation. The 

 brick, it may be worth stating, is composed of mycelium 

 (i.e., mushroom growth) embedded in clay and cow 

 manure ; it is, therefore, clear that while the bed is 

 being prepared the spawn should be kept in a place 

 appropriate to its composition. 



The ambitious grower will naturally select to rear his 

 fungi on a commodious raised bed with dimensions about 



