MISCELLANEOUS VEGETABLES 119 



Strong, turfy loam is the best for earthing a Mushroom-bed the 

 top three or four inches ol a pasture which has been stacked 

 for some time previously, and chopped fine. Good, strong, 

 loamy garden mould will answer this purpose also. The soil 

 should be moist, and it must be beaten as firmly as possible. 



Using soil in a suitable condition will obviate the necessity 

 for watering until the Mushrooms appear. If water is required 

 before this, supply it through a fine rose, at a temperature of 

 about ninety degrees. Remove the bulk of the covering while 

 watering, afterwards replacing it. This covering, moreover, 

 should be removed altogether when the Mushrooms appear, 

 substituting sheets of brown paper, as insects are then not 

 harboured; indeed, it may be dispensed with if the shed is 

 kept quite dark and the bed is protected from cold winds. 

 Mushrooms ought to appear in from five to six weeks after 

 spawning, and continue to do so for two months or more. When, 

 however, the spawn shows signs of exhaustion, a thorough 

 watering with tepid liquid manure in a weak state should be 

 given ; this will stimulate the spawn to renewed action. A moist 

 atmosphere is essential to Mushroom growth ; therefore the 

 indoor beds, walls, and floor of the shed should be lightly 

 syringed occasionally. 



When gathering Mushrooms they should not be cut with 

 a knife, but pulled up with the stems attached, afterwards 

 trimming them. If a knife be used and the old stool left, the 

 latter decays and kills the small " buttons " which are growing 

 around, whereas if pulled up, young Mushrooms will quickly 

 grow in and near the cavity made. If gathered when about 

 three parts developed, the Mushrooms will be solid, fresh, 

 and more palatable on arriving at their destination. To secure 

 a regular supply, make a fresh bed at intervals of six weeks or so. 



Should mice, woodlice, or cockroaches feed on the young 

 buttons, spread some phosphor paste on bits of bread and on 

 paper, and lay them thickly over the beds. If the straw with 

 which the beds are covered begins to rot, remove it and put 

 'clean material in its place. Fill up with ^oil all holes made in 

 removing the Mushrooms, and by no means allow rotting ends 

 to remain in the beds. These are small items of attention which 

 have a great influence upon the successful growth of Mushrooms. 



SPINACH (Spinacia oleracea). A deep, rich, moist soil is 

 necessary to grow good Spinach, a vegetable noted for its health- 

 giving properties, There are two kinds of Common Spinach 



