Mushrooms. 239 



Watering. Moisture in the beds is essential to success. A 

 bed which is too dry will be unproductive. But in many cases 

 an otherwise good bed is frequently spoiled by the too frequent 

 use of the water can. No water at all ought to be necessary 

 during the first month after soiling. At the end of that time if 

 the soil appears to be getting dry a little may be given through 

 a fine rose, but if the soil is still moist this will not be neces- 

 sary. Another watering may be given after the first abundant 

 gathering of Mushrooms. Always use tepid water and give 

 sufficient to moisten the soil. In dealing with open-air beds or 

 those in cold houses it is better to give the water over the litter 

 instead of directly on the surface of the bed, and in that case 

 the water given should be quite hot. In any case, immediately 

 after watering the coverings of the bed must be restored or 

 the temperature will be seriously lowered by rapid evaporation. 

 Each of these waterings should be done with clear water only, 

 but when the crop begins to diminish it may be stimulated and 

 made to last a longer time if, after the bed is cleared of Mush- 

 rooms, the soil is saturated with weak liquid manure ; or a weak 

 solution of guano or saltpetre will have the same effect. 



It must be constantly borne in mind that whilst the beds 

 should not become too dry, the greatest care must be exercised 

 to see that they do not get over-wet, as there is almost sure to 

 be a failure if they are drenched. A moist atmosphere should 

 be maintained: this is provided for to some extent by the 

 covering on the beds, which keeps the air close to the surface 

 in a moist condition, but in houses where no covering is used, 

 it is necessary to occasionally sprinkle water on the walls and 

 paths, so that the right conditions may be maintained by evapo- 

 ration, and where hot-water pipes are used in the winter they 

 should have evaporating troughs placed on them, kept filled 

 with water. On the other hand, where the conditions appear 

 to be too damp and the atmosphere stagnant it is advisable to 

 give a little ventilation. 



Beds in Odd Places. Provided the mode of procedure and 

 the conditions prevailing are such as are suitable to their 

 requirements, Mushrooms may be grown almost anywhere and 

 the beds may be of any size or shape desired. They may be 

 grown in the cellar of an ordinary dwelling-house without the 



