39 



Gatheking the Crop. 



It is necessary with a ci'op like mushrooms, as it is with many others, 

 to go over the beds each day and gather the mature specimens. These 

 are gathered in trays, care being taken not to have them become soiled 

 in handling. 



In picking mushrooms it is recommended that they should not be cut 

 off at the base, but gently twisted and removed from the soil. When it 

 is necessary to cut, as is sometimes the case when they come up in large 

 numbers, it is recommended that the butts be subsequently removed and 

 the holes filled with soil, in order to prevent decay. Mushrooms can be 

 kept in a cool, dark place for two or three days after picking, with little 

 detriment. 



Pkice of Mushrooms. 



Mushrooms, like other crops, are usually assorted into grades which 

 bring different prices. The price of mushrooms usually varies from 

 one season to anothei', and also during the same season. A No. 1 

 jjroduct will bring f 1 per pound during certain seasons, while at other 

 seasons thej' will sell from 25 cents to 50 cents per pound. During the 

 past winter mushrooms were as low as 25 cents per pound at one time 

 in the Boston market. 



Diseases of Mushrooms. 



There are a few troubles caused by fungi, insects, etc., which occa- 

 sionally give rise to loss of mushrooms. Among some of the troubles 

 experienced the following may be mentioned. Dark-colored spots 

 coming on the cap of the mushroom, which induce decay and render 

 them unfit for the market. These are caused by eel worms, which are 

 minute microscopic worms similar to those frequently giving trouble to 

 tomatoes, cucumbers and various other jjlants. Various animals, such 

 as maggots, wood lice and sow bugs, occasionall}' give rise to trouble, 

 and there are cei'tain rots caused by fungous growths which sometimes 

 damage the crop. 



On account of very little attention having been given to the diseases 

 of mushrooms, no definite specific remedies have been suggested for 

 many of these troubles. No doubt there are, however, cultural methods 

 which could be applied that would prove of some value in exterminating 

 or conti'olling the ravages of these various organisms. 



