100 KITCHEN-GARDENING. 



the same way in every respect, and have found, not once, but 

 always, those made from the latter most productive. Drop- 

 pings from hard-fed horses may be procured at the public 

 stables in towns, or at inns in the country, any time of the 

 year; and if the supply be plentiful, a bed of considerable 

 dimensions may be made and finished w^ithin five or six weeks. 

 In as many more weeks, if in a stable or dry cellar, or shed, 

 it will begin to produce, and often sooner ; but if the situation 

 of the bed be cold, it will sometimes be two or three months 

 in producing Mushrooms." 



EXTREMES OF TEMPERATURE SHOULD BE AVOIDED. 



It may be necessary to state further, that extremes of heat, 

 cold, drought, and moisture should be avoided in the cultiva- 

 tion of Mushrooms. If the temperature keeps up to 50° in 

 the winter, the beds wdll be safe, and the heat in the beds may 

 rise to 60° or even 70° without injury. Air also must be 

 admitted in proportion to the heat, and 60° should be aimed 

 at as a medium temperature. Water, when given a little at a 

 time, is better than too much at once, after the spawn has' 

 begun to spread ; and the water for this purpose should always 

 be made blood-warm. A light covering of straw may be used 

 to preserve moisture on the surface ; and if the beds are made 

 in open frames, or otherwise subject to exposure, the straw 

 may be laid thicker than on beds made in a cellar. 



Should beds fail in producing Mushrooms after having been 

 kept too hot or too wet, it may be inferred that the spawn is 

 injured or destroyed ; but if, on the contrary, a bed that has 

 been kept moderately warm and dry should happen to be 

 unproductive, such bed may be well replenished with warm 

 water, and a coat of warm dung may be laid over the whole. 

 If this does not enliven the bed, after having lain a month, 

 take the earth off; and if, on examination, there is no appear- 

 ance of spawn, the whole maybe destroyed. On the contrary, 

 should the bed contain spawn, it may be renovated by cover- 

 ing it again, especially if any small tubercles be discernible. 



