MUSHROOM. 193 



as before advised, which, with the occasional shade 

 on the glass, will make it sufficiently dark for the 

 production of the mushroom. 



In the course of three weeks, after a bed was 

 spawned in this way, it began to produce mush- 

 rooms, and so continued for some weeks after the 

 plants had done bearing, and were pulled up, by 

 giving about two inches of top dressing, slightly 

 covering the surface with hay, and keeping the 

 lights close. In such beds the finest flakes of spawn 

 have been produced, as hinted before. 



On a ridge or ridges of hand-glass cucumbers 

 (those in frames have generally the mould too light), 

 spawn may be inserted along the edges, where, with 

 the surface being covered with half consumed litter, 

 or such like, mushrooms have been frequently pro- 

 duced in abundance. 



Exclusive of the different methods mentioned, 

 others will most likely suggest themselves to the 

 young horticulturist, who should never be tired of 

 making moderate and well-considered experiments. 

 By such means have the gardeners of the United 

 Kingdom attained that knowledge which they so 

 pre-eminently possess over others in Europe ; but 

 still there is ample room for improvement. 



So far on the cultivation of the mushroom in the 

 old school. That of raising them in houses built on 

 purpose, may be termed the " new school." This 

 practice was but little adopted, till after the middle 

 of the last century ; since that time they have come 

 (not without reason) rapidly into use, and at the 

 present time but few noblemen's or gentlemen's 

 gardens are without one. Besides being in high 



