80 



MUSHROOM CULTURE. 



We will next turn to the culture of the mushroom in the 

 open air near Paris. In old times the market-gardeners 

 there used to grow it amongst their ordinary crops with 

 great profit, but since the champignonnistes cultivate it 

 under no danger from cold in the caves, the market- 

 gardeners, who used to raise it to a great extent in the 

 open air, do so now in a less degree. Thev begin 



Fig. 27. Uncovered end of mushroom-bed in Paris market-garden. 

 January, 1867. 



with the preparation of the manure, and collect that of 

 the horse for a month or six weeks before they make the 

 beds ; this they prepare in some firm spot of the market- 

 garden, and take from it all rubbish, particles of wood, 

 and miscellaneous matters; for, say they, the spawn is 

 not fond of these bodies. After sorting it thus, they 

 place it in beds two feet thick, or a little more, pressing 

 it with the fork. When this is done the mass or bed is 



