Mushrooms. 235 



be, when possible, one which has shelter of some sort on the 

 north and east, so that the heat may not be driven out by cold 

 winds. When made in the summer months a ridge bed should 

 be 2ft. 6in. wide at the bottom and the same in height, but 

 when made to stand the winter, say from the middle of 

 September to the end of January, it should be 3ft. wide and 

 3ft. high. The length is immaterial and may be made to suit 

 convenience. Before beginning to make the bed mark out the 

 site carefully, by putting in pegs at each end and at intervals 

 along the length. If the ground is flat the bed should run 

 north and south, so that the sun may play equally on both 

 sides of it, but if the ground slopes it is best to let the bed run in 

 the direction of the slope, especially when there are several 

 side by side, so that rainwater may pass away freely. Begin 

 making the bed by shaking out a layer of manure Gin. thick, and 

 on this shake out a second layer of 6in., then tread it down 

 firmly and whilst standing on the bed beat the sides into shape 

 with the back of the fork. Add another foot in the same way, 

 afterwards treading and beating it as before. This operation 

 is repeated a third time, when the bed will have risen to within 

 Gin. or so of the top. The sides should have been sloped 

 inwards, like the roof of a house, but not so much so as to 



make the apex too 

 narrow ; when the 

 bed is built to within 

 Gin. of the intended 

 height it should be 

 1ft. across and the 



remaining portion is 

 Ridge-shaped Mushroom Bed. added . fl Qrder tQ 



A-The Manure. B-The Soil Casing. rQund it off< Before 



C The Straw Covering. . . 



this last layer is put 



on the sides of the bed should be smoothed and loose manure 

 removed ; this, and any which has been scattered on the ground 

 along the margin of the bed, can be gathered together and will 

 generally be found sufficient for the top layer. After this is put 

 on it is well beaten with the back of the fork, no more treading 

 being done. As soon as finished, cover the bed with litter to 

 prevent the rain from wetting or the sun or wind from drying it. 



