MUSHROOM 155 



manure begins in September and ends in February, and the 

 packing of the crop begins in October or November and ends 

 in May. Under extraordinary conditions the season may 

 begin earlier and last longer, and, in fact, it may continue 

 all summer. 



Mushrooms can be grown almost anywhere out of doors, 

 and also indoors where there is a dry bottom in which to set 

 the beds, where a uniform and moderate 

 temperature can be maintained, and where 

 the beds can be protected from wet over- 

 head, and from winds, drought, and direct 

 sunshine. Among the most desirable places 

 in which to grow Mushrooms are barns, cel- 

 lars, closed tunnels, sheds, pits, green- 

 houses, and regular Mushroom houses. Total 

 darkness is not imperative, for Mushrooms grow well in 

 open light if shaded from sunshine. The temperature and 

 moisture are more apt to be equable in dark places than in 

 open, light ones, and it is largely for this reason that 

 Mushroom houses are kept dark. 



The best fertilizer for Mushrooms, so far as the writer's 

 experience goes, is fresh horse manure. Get together a lot 

 of this material (short and strawy) that has been well 

 trampled and wetted in the stable. Throw it into a heap, 

 wet it well if it is at all dry, and let it heat. When it begins 

 to steam turn it over, shake it well so as to mix thoroughly 

 and evenly, and then tramp it down solid. After this let it 

 stand till it again gets quite warm, then turn, shake, trample 

 as before, and add water freely if it is getting dry. Repeat 

 this turning, moistening and trampling as often as it is 

 needful to keep the manure from "burning." If it gets in- 

 tensely hot, spread it out to cool, after which again throw it 

 together. After being turned in this way several times, and 

 the heat in it is not apt to rise above 130 F., it_ should be 

 ready to make up in the beds. By adding to the manure at the 

 second or third turning one -fourth or one -fifth of its bulk of 



