Mushroom Culture. 



243 



the truth of what I say of its market gardens can be readily tested, 

 and they are at all times worthy of being seen. 



MUSHROOM CULTURE. In old times the market gardeners of 

 Paris used to grow the mushroom with profit, but since the champig- 

 nonnistes cultivate it with much less danger from cold in the caves 

 under Paris and its environs, the market gardeners, who used to 

 raise it to a great extent in the open air, do so now to a much 

 smaller degree. In fact, they would have to renounce its culture 

 altogether were it not that the mushrooms they produce are 

 whiter, finer, and bring a better price than those grown in the 

 caves. They begin with the preparation of the manure of course, 

 and collect that of the horse for a month or six weeks before they 

 make the beds ; this they prepare in some firm spot of the market 

 garden, and take from it all rubbish, particles of wood, and mis- 

 cellaneous matters ; for, say they, the spawn is not fond of these 

 bodies. After sorting it thus, they place it in beds two feet thick, 

 or a little more, pressing it with the fork. When this is done the 

 mass or bed is well stamped, then thoroughly watered, and finally 

 again pressed down by stamping. It is then left in that state for 

 eight or ten days, by which time it has begun to ferment. After 

 these eight or ten days the bed ought to be turned well over and 

 re-made on the same place, care being taken to place the manure 

 that was near the sides of the first- made bed towards the centre in 

 the turning and re-making j then they leave the mass for another 

 ten days or so, at the end of which time the manure is about in 

 proper condition for making the beds that are to bear the mush- 

 rooms. If they do not find the stuff "sweet," unctuous, and of 

 a bluish-white colour in the interior, they do not expect much 

 success ; but by carrying out the foregoing simple directions there 

 is little chance of having it otherwise. Then they make the little 

 ridge-shaped beds about twenty-six inches wide and the same in 

 height formed like " the back of an ass," and placed in parallel 

 lines, at a distance of twenty inches one from the other. The 

 manure is made into close little beds gradually and carefully, the 



R 2 



