THE MUSHROOM. 391 



The Mushroom [Agaricas campestris), though- not 

 properly an inmate of the melonry, may appropriately 

 enough, from the nature of its culture, be taken along 

 with the plants grown in this department. It is a 

 well-Tcnown fungus, a general favorite, and esteemed a 

 delicacy during winter and the spring months. 



Mushrooms used to 1be grown in ridges or prepared 

 beds, in sheds, or covered with litter in the open air. 

 Of late years, the Russian form of the mushroom-house 

 has been introduced into Britain by Mr. Isaac Oldacre, 

 and is now in very general use. Its arrangement may 

 be Seen by inspecting the back part of the vinery, a 

 section of which is given at page 343. Two tiers of 

 boxes, three in each tier, and supported by a strong 

 framework, are constructed round the whole house, 

 with the exception of the spaces occupied by a door and 

 two windows. The boxes may be from two feet and a ' 

 half to three feet and a half broad, and about a foot 

 deep. The house is supposed to be heated by hot-water 

 circulation. In the centre d is a, narrow pit, by which 

 the house may be worked by means of fermenting litter 

 instead of the hot water, or in which rhubarb stalks 

 may be forced. The windows are furnished with shut- 

 ters to regulate the admission of light, much of which 

 is not wanted ; and they are movable, to permit the 

 ingress of air. 



Mushrooms are propargated from what gardeners call 

 spawn, and botanists mycelium, being a collection of 

 matter resembling white mouldiness, crossed with vege- 

 table th;'eads. It may ha obtained from old pastures, 

 the floors of disused stabTes, decayed mushroom beds, 

 or purchased from nurserymen in the form of bricks 

 charged with spawn. When once obtained, it may. 



