56 MUSHROOM CULTURE. 



weeks before and after Christmas. There are, however, 

 numerous spaces such as those alluded to where there is 

 room to make a succession of beds. No person having 

 but one greenhouse need fear much or any inconvenience 

 from the odour of the manure at least, not after the beds 

 are earthed. The couple of inches of soil over the 

 manure would absorb any vapour given off by the bed. 



Wherever the cultivation of cucumbers or melons in 

 pits or frames is carried out, nothing can be easier than 

 to grow large crops of mushrooms after the melons, &c. 

 are cleared away. The spawn may be inserted over the 

 surface of the little mounds usually made for the reception 

 of the young melon plants, and also over the remaining 

 surface of the beds which are generally covered with a few 

 inches of earth. After the melons have done bearing 

 and the haulm is cleared away, the spawn will usually be 

 found to have spread through the deep mass of earth in 

 the beds. As little or no water is given or required while 

 the melons are ripening, a good soaking of tepid water 

 will generally be necessary to encourage the mushrooms 

 to start into profuse bearing. If the season and situation 

 be mild and warm, the lights may be taken off; and if the 

 sun be very strong, the beds may be shaded with canvas 

 or mats. If the season be late and cold it will, on the 

 other hand, be desirable to keep on the lights, and even 

 to cover them in cold weather. 



