MUSHROOM CULTURE 



421 



Casing the Beds. — Two weeks after spawning, a piece of spawn should 

 be dug up; if the mycelium appears as a mould running into the manure, 

 the beds are ready to case. Casing consists in covering the beds with a 

 layer of sifted loam 1 to 1| inches deep. The loam causes the mushrooms 

 to h?ad, acts as a mulch and is the best medium for picking. The average 

 farm wagon load of sifted loam will cover 250 square feet of bed. 



Temperature. — Temperature is important because it regulates the 

 competition of mushrooms with insects and with other fungi. It has been 

 found that at 53° to 58° F. mushrooms grow slowly but strongly, while 

 other growths are held in check. Even at freezing temperatures mush- 

 rooms lie dormant without apparent harm. Too much heat causes rapid 



Types of Fancy Packages. 



development, not only of mushrooms, but also of any other organisms 

 present, so that the spawn soon "runs out." The temperature should be 

 kept near 56° F. and sudden changes should be avoided. 



Water. — Water should be applied to the beds only as a spray. The 

 surface should never be allowed to dry out, nor should it be soaked. It is 

 better to apply a little water every day than to water heavily at longer 

 intervals. The air should be kept as moist as proper ventilation 

 permits. 



Ventilation. — Ventilation is of great importance, but must be accom- 

 plished without draughts. Draughts quickly dry out the beds and cause 

 the mushrooms to crack and darken, especially after watering. Overhead 

 ventilators give the most uniform ventilation with the least danger. 



Picking and Marketing. — The first mushrooms appear six to eight 

 weeks after spawning. When in full bearing they should be picked every 

 day. Picking is an art. The yield and returns may be materially reduced 

 by lack of judgment in this single operation. Experience only can teach one 

 to pick properly. It should be remembered that mushrooms gain no weight 



