MUSHROOM. 191 



room-house ; but such a house is, to all intents and 

 purposes, most necessary where a constant supply 

 is required. 



Sometimes it happens that a bed suddenly ceases 

 to produce any mushrooms : this arises from various 

 causes, but principally from the cold state of the 

 bed in winter, or from a too dry state in summer. 

 In the former case a slight covering of mulchy hay 

 laid over the bed, and on that six or eigbt inches of 

 well- worked hot dung, and the whole covered lightly 

 with the straw that was taken off, will most likely 

 bring it about again. In the latter instance, 

 moisture, if required, should be given moderately 

 for two or three mornings, when, after lying about 

 an hour, the whole may be covered up, and be found 

 of much service. In summer, most mushroom- 

 beds in a bearing state require more or less slight 

 waterings. Soft water should be used for the pur- 

 pose : spring water is too hard, and of too cold a 

 nature ; and when at any time applied, checks ve- 

 getation. In summer time a gentle shower of rain 

 on open beds that are in bearing, and seem dry, will 

 add considerably to their productiveness. 



A mushroom-bed seldom furnishes any abun- 

 dance after two or three months : it has often done 

 its best in six weeks. Heavy rains are most de- 

 structive to mushrooms ; therefore care should be 

 taken to remove the wet straw or litter, and di- 

 rectly replace it with dry ; hence the utility of a 

 covered shed. 



Mushrooms have been successfully raised on late 

 melon ridges, suppose May and June, from which 

 most abundant crops have been obtained, with no 



