12 MUSHROOM CULTURE. 



parallel to the shelves all the length of the house., and 

 return back to the fireplace, where the chimney should 

 be built ; the sides of the flue inside to be of the height 

 of four bricks laid flatways, and 6 inches wide, which 

 will make the width of the flues 15 inches from out- 

 side to outside, and leave a cavity, t u } on each side 

 betwixt the flue and the walls that are under the shelves, 

 and one, x y, up the middle, betwixt the flues, 2 inches 

 wide, to admit the heat into the house from the sides of 

 the flues." The introduction of this form of house by 

 Mr. Oldacre has led to much improvement in our mush- 

 room culture. The first house of this kind erected in 

 England, was built at Shipley, near Derby, in the garden 

 of E. M. Mundy, Esq., by the father of Mr. W. P. Ayres, 

 whose name will be found frequently mentioned in this 

 work. Th^re brick arches were formed for the shelves, 

 and though built more than half a century ago, the 

 house is still in good condition. 



Although slate is generally used for the shelves, the 

 adoption of cast-iron gratings for this purpose is well 

 worth a trial, as by this means we majr be enabled to 

 cut mushrooms from the under as well as the upper side 

 of the bed. 



