n6 POPULAR VEGETABLES 



a Mushroom house answers well, but it must be dark 

 as the growth soon loses its whiteness. A temperature 

 of 55 to 60 will grow good material, and, to get a first 

 supply earlier than Christmas, place the roots in a 

 bottom heat of 80 to 90 and when growth begins 

 give ample supplies of tepid water and daily dampings 

 overhead. To maintain a supply place roots in the 

 house every three weeks in the quantities desired. As 

 the season advances less warmth will be needed, the 

 plants starting freely. To grow material for this pur- 

 pose save the thick thong-like roots, which should be 

 cut into lengths of from four to six inches. Make 

 a straight cut at the crown or top, and a slanting one 

 at the bottom. Tie these root cuttings in small bundles, 

 and plunge in loose soil in frames ; they will start 

 into growth by March, and may then be planted in 

 well-enriched soil, two feet apart between the rows with 

 half this distance between the plants. Keep them free 

 from weeds and apply a good fertiliser or salt and soot 

 in showery weather. Good plants can be got in one 

 year, but the results are better from two years' growth, 

 and unless space is plentiful and labour abundant, it 

 is wiser to purchase roots specially grown for forcing. 

 Roots also force well in cellars or in boxes or under the 

 stages of houses ; but there must be darkness with only 

 sufficient moisture to promote growth. Produce can 

 also be obtained by placing roots in large pots in leaf 

 soil just level with the crowns, and then cover with 

 another empty pot, indeed, the forcing is most simple, 

 and anything that will promote growth will suffice. 



