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CHAPTER IV. 



SPAWNING AND AFTER-TREATMENT. 



Heat and Protection. 



THE temperature of the material of the beds should never, 

 at spawning time, exceed 80 degrees Fahr. about 70 

 is the most suitable regular temperature ; and that of 

 the mushroom-house should range between 50 and 60 

 degrees not lower than 50. Assuming the materials 

 to have been turned once after having heated, and again 

 disturbed previous to being made into beds, they ought 

 to be in a condition for spawning from ten to twelve 

 clays after being pnt together. It need hardly be said 

 that this regularity of temperature can only be secured 

 in properly -formed mushroom-houses. Where mush- 

 rooms are grown in these, with double ceilings and close- 

 fitting shutters and doors, almost impervious to external 

 influences, and where fresh beds are made from time 

 to time, little or no artificial heat from pipes is required, 

 though it is as well to have some at command in the 

 case of unusually severe weather, or a break in the suc- 

 cession of beds, which would cause a deficiency of heat 

 from fermenting materials. A covering of hay or dry 



D 



