98 MUSHROOMS. 



Of the two classes of melons namely, the yellow-fleshed 

 or Cantaloupes, and the green-fleshed or Musk Melons 

 we consider the latter as the only class worth cultivating 

 in this country. The varieties are very numerous, but the 

 following two are fully equal to any of the others. 



Steittmaris Netted is of comparatively small size ; it is 

 early, very sugary, melting and high flavored; it is also a 

 compact grower. 



Green Citron is of large size, very sugary, juicy, and of 

 delicious flavor. It bears abundantly and is comparatively 

 hardy. 



MUSHROOMS. 



The cultivation of this delicious esculent is not often 

 attempted by amateur gardeners. The old system of cul- 

 tivation involved a great deal of trouble, and had not a 

 little of a certain kind of mystery, but of late years the 

 French, who grow large quantities of them, have greatly 

 simplified the process. One of their modes is the following, 

 by which any person having a warm, dry cellar, and a sup- 

 ply of fresh horse manure, can obtain a liberal supply: 



In an open shed, or in any place protected from heavy 

 rains, ordinary .fresh horse manure, free from rubbish or 

 long straw, is to be laid up in beds of two or more feet 

 thick, pressing it down with the fork as it is laid up, and 

 when finished treading it down firmly with the feet. It 

 should then be thoroughly watered and again trodden 

 down, and left to ferment for eight or ten days. At the 

 expiration of this time it must be turned over with the 

 fork and made again into a similar bed, care being taken 

 that the outsides of the previous bed should form the 

 centre of the new bed. In another ten days or a fortnight 

 it will be ready for use. Tubs are then to be provided, 



