162 GROW YOUR OWN VEGETABLES 



or two shillings a piece, most growers will be compelled 

 to fall back on the straw. This latter should be kept in 

 position during windy weather by the judicious use of a 

 ball or two of string. In wet seasons it is a wise plan to 

 cover the sloping sides of. the ridge with waterproof 

 sheeting or other makeshift protective material. Some 

 growers remove the straw covering when the mushrooms 

 begin to appear, substituting brown paper, old dark- 

 coloured casement cloth, etc. In this way a crop, 

 undamaged by insects, is far easier to obtain. 



If the situation of the outdoor ridge is sheltered, and if it 

 runs north and south, the fungi will begin to appear in 

 about six weeks. From this time onwards a light water- 

 ing with tepid water should be given every ten days. 



Mushrooms must be gathered carefully. First of all, 

 do not use a knife, but grasp the stems low down and 

 wrench them out of their sockets. If a knife be used or 

 if a portion of the stem be left, the crowns will suffer 

 to the detriment of subsequent crops. They must never 

 be left on the ridge until the umbrella-like head turns 

 upwards ; all such specimens have grown past their 

 prime. Finally, it is almost superfluous to add that the 

 sooner they are eaten after gathering the better. 



Outdoor beds do best when formed between July and 

 December, but with indoor beds this rule applies with 

 less force. The box or tub which we mentioned above 

 will give a good crop almost at any time of the year if 

 cultural points be strictly observed, if the receptacle is 

 protected from the weather and if complete darkness is 

 ensured. An indoor situation consists of a shed, out- 



