80 BUIST's FAPillLY KITCHEN GAI>DEN£E. 



part left generally rots and bre€<3s insects, particularly the 

 wood-louse, which is very destructive to Mushroom beds. 



Sometimes it happens that a bed suddenly ceases to be pro- 

 ductive. This may arise from various causes, but most frequent- 

 ly from the cold state of the bed in Winter, or a dryness of soil. 

 In the former case, an additional covering should be given, in 

 the latter, water in a milk-warm or tepid state should be ap- 

 plied moderately, for two or three mornings in succession. 

 After each watering leave the covering oS for about an hour. 

 Soft water should be used for the purpose. In S^muior tho- 

 beds will require watering every two days, though in Winter 

 they may not need it in as many months. A good bed will be 

 productive for three months, though it may occasionally happen 

 to wear out in half that time. 



From these observations, an ingenious mind ean rofake st 

 ?>Iushroom bed in a multitude of situations, all obtainable where 

 there are cellars, stables, or other buildings. We would not 

 despair even in the open air during Winter, covei'ed with plenty 

 of litter, under a few boards toward off cold rains. In Spring 

 :ind Summer, any quantity may be grown in this way. 



It will be observed, in the cultivation of eve-ry other vegeta- 

 ble we either sow or plant some evident material of reproduc- 

 tion ; but in the cultivation of Mushrooms, we neither sow noT 

 plant any antecedent production of seed, plant, or root, yet it 

 is certain that mushrooms are reproduced by a pKx^ess in which 

 the dung of certain animals forms the chief instrument, anc^ 

 on the goodness and strength of that ingredient, in whatsoever- 

 way it is Baade, chiefly depends the crop. We are aware that 

 this vegetable appears in certain situations without any appa- 

 rent cause, though we feel fully satisfied that there are inert 

 ingr.edients that only require a combination of iu3uen&es ta 

 produce certain results, and these results in nature are uner- 

 ring. 



The young Hortloulturist should never desist from making 

 laodci'ate and well-cousldeTed expe?.\me'ftts» Let him neve? 



