Cultural Directions. — 259 



MINT. 



MentJia viridis. German, Krauseminze ; YxtXiQk\.,Mcnthe. — 

 A hardy perennial, often found in great masses along moist road- 

 sides, near swamps and low places. Easily propagated by 

 division of the creeping root-stock. In a small way it is forced 

 under glass, for winter and spring market, and the growers find 

 it very profitable. The leaves and young shoots are used for 

 seasoning, mint sauce, and for flavoring liquors. 



MUSHROOM. 



Agaricus campestris. German, Champignon; French, 

 Champignon ; Spanish, Seta. — The very first and most important 

 requirement for the successful production of mushrooms is a 

 dark, damp place with an even temperature ranging from 50 to 

 70 degrees. This may be a common cellar, a cave, railroad or 

 other tunnel, under the greenhouse benches, or in a building 

 constructed or arranged for the purposes and heated with pipes. 

 In proper situation mush- 

 rooms can be raised the year 

 around, and it is done on a 

 large scale in natural caves or 

 abandoned tunnels in this 

 and other countries. One of 

 these mammoth mushroom 



factories is said to be in ,, , 



r 1 ^ t- Mushroom Spawn, 



successful operation near ^ 



Chicago, run by a stock company ; and more chances equally 



good for starting an enterprise of this kind might be found in 



various parts of the country. It is reported to be a paying 



business. 



For culture in a common cellar or other place, on a limited 



scale, the best time for active operations is from the beginning 



of September until January. Take fresh horse droppings without 



long straw or litter, and mix it with one-third of its bulk of fresh 



loam, or finely cut-up sods from an old pasture, and put in a heap 



to heat. Turn frequently (perhaps once a day) until the first 



violent heat has nearly subsided. Then spread a layer of it. 



four feet wide and as long as desired, upon the place intended 



for the bed. This may be on the ground or on shelves. Beat 



the layer down firmly with a wooden mallet, or other convenient 



implement ; spread another layer of the manure mixture upon 



the first, and beat down solidly once more, repeating this, 



if necessary, so the bed, when finished, will be about 8 or lo 



inches in thickness. 



