78 



MUSHROOM CULTURE. 



of July, I found about half an acre of ground at Brompton 

 covered with mushroom-beds bearing well. 



The following illustration is from a sketch taken in 

 Nov. 1869, in market-garden fields, between Kensington 

 and Brompton. The beds, about three and a half feet 

 high and the same in width at the base, are covered with 

 the long straw or litter taken from the stable manure. 

 Over that is placed old bast mats, or any like materials, 



Fig. 26. Mushroom-beds in market-gardens at Earl's Court, 

 Kensington. November, 1869. 



to keep the litter in its place, and throw off the rain ; 

 the mats being kept in place by tiles, bricks, old boards, 

 or any like objects that may be at hand. This is well 

 shown in my illustration. 



The manure employed is that brought from the London 

 stables, the longer litter being shaken out and put on 

 one side to cover the beds. No care whatever is taken 

 in the preparation of the manure ; it is usually made 



