238 The Profitable Culture of Vegetables. 



thick, but accordingly as the the weather is colder or the wind 

 strong the covering must be thicker, until in severe weather as 

 much as 15in. or even 18in. is req'uired. The longest of the 

 litter should be placed over the top of the bed in such a way 

 as to throw off rain and prevent it saturating the bed. During 

 winter outside beds should have tarpaulin, canvas, or mats 

 put over the litter to give additional protection against cold, 

 rain, snow, and keen cutting winds. Such coverings should 

 be securely fastened down by strings, pegs, or other means, sa 

 as not to be disturbed by the wind. 



Beds in buildings do not need covering whilst the weather is 

 mild, and in houses where a proper temperature is maintained 

 by the aid of hot-water pipes they do not need covering with 

 li.tter at any time. Beds in cold houses and sheds must, how- 

 ever, be well protected with straw or litter according to the 

 season, from Gin. to 1ft. in depth being required. 



Heat of the Bed. It is always possible that the heat of the 

 bed may rise again after casing and 'covering, or in cold 

 weather it may fall below the point where the mycelium will 

 work and the Mushrooms grow. For this reason sticks should 

 be inserted at intervals along the bed, and these should be 

 withdrawn and felt daily for the first week or so. If the heat 

 has risen to over 80 degrees, some of the covering must be 

 thrown off, but if it has fallen below 60 degrees, more must be 

 added. If it goes down and remains at a point where the 

 Mushrooms cannot grow, say below 45 degrees, there is nothing 

 for it but patience. Providing the spawn was good and has 

 not been destroyed by overheating or by the bed becoming 

 saturated with moisture, it will lie dormant until there is a 

 natural rise of temperature, and will probably bear well in the 

 following spring or summer. Ordinarily, when the conditions 

 are right, the Mushrooms begin to appear in six or eight weeks 

 after spawning. Under very favourable conditions they will 

 sometimes appear in four weeks, though this is rare. In any 

 case, it is certain that if the spawn is good and the manure 

 properly prepared the Mushrooms will appear sooner or later, 

 and therefore patience should be exercised, and every effort 

 made to maintain the proper temperature of the bed by suitable 

 coverings or otherwise. 



