Cultural Directions. — 261 



top of the cap is sometimes clear white, more usually slightly 

 colored a light pinkish or reddish brown. 



The simplest way to grow it, especially for the amateur, is in 

 hot-bed. Prepare fresh horse droppings, from well-fed horses, in 

 same manner as directed for making ordinary mushroom beds. 

 The proper time to do this is in spring, so that the hot-bed can 

 be made up not later than in May. What we want is to have a 

 solid layer of the mixture of horse droppings and loam, that will 

 promptly come to a heat and retain a moderate degree of warmth 

 for the longest practicable period. This layer may be made 

 twelve to fifteen inches deep. Be sure to pack it down very 

 firmly. Then when the temperature is right, say 90° Fahren- 

 heit, insert the spawn and proceed in about the same way as 

 required for the ordinary mushroom. A thin layer of sphagnum 

 moss, marsh hay, leaves, or similar litter may be placed upon the 

 loam covering of the bed, and then the sashes may be put on. 

 The glass should be heavily shaded by means of a good coat of 

 lime whitewash, and the sashes partially raised, especially dur- 

 ing the hot weather later on, to provide some ventilation. If 

 the work was done right, the mushrooms will appear in from 

 four to five weeks, and should be gathered every day. Water 

 may be applied quite freely during hot, dry weather. 



MUSTARD. (White Mustard.) 



Sinapis Alba. German, Gelber Scnf ; French, Moiitarde 

 blanche ; Spanish, Mostaza blanca. — Annual of rapid growth and 

 easiest culture. The leaves while young are used for salads and 

 for garnishing, and are of pleasant pungency. Sow seed in drills 

 one foot apart, and keep free from weeds. 

 The ripe seed is variously used in the prep- 

 aration of pickles, and when ground makes 

 the chief ingredient in the well-known condi- 

 ment on sale in groceries under the name 

 "Mustard." The " curled mustard" seed, a 

 sample of which years ago I received from a 



friend in the South for trial, has recently been 



. ^ J J u /- 1T • " Mustard. 



mtroduced as Calitornia peppergrass or 



"Japanese mustard." It is thought to be of Chinese origin. 



This is one of the best plants for early spring "greens," as it 



grows very quickly, and makes a large, compact plant, and crisp 



and beautifully curled leaves, of pleasant pungent flavor. 



NASTURTIUM. (Indian Cress) Dwarf. 



TropcEolwn Minus. German, Kapuzincr Krcsse ; French, 

 Capucine petite ; Spanish, Capuchina pcqucna. — Annual of easy 

 culture, and like the climbing form [T. Majus) more frequently 

 found in the flower garden and border than in the kitchen 



