An experimental Mushroom House 

 Illo Hein 



The diversit\- in the practices of the commercial mushroom 

 growers has led to a demand for experimental work to deter- 

 mine the most satisfactory methods for the production of maxi- 

 mum yields. The Department of Botany at The Pennsylvania 

 State College is undertaking investigations in mushroom culture 

 and has recently constructed an experimental mushroom house. 



The handling of the compost, (numbers and methods of 

 turnings required, amounts of water to be added, etc) optimum 

 temperatures of the houses, -ventilation, light, size, number per 

 unit area, and depth of planting, of the spawn piece, depth 

 of the substrate in the bed, possible addition of nutritional 

 substances, (artificial fertilizers) control of diseases, breeding 

 of improved strains and numerous other questions under these 

 heads have made it highly desirable to construct an experi- 

 mental mushroom plant where appropriate tests can be made. 



In working out plans for such a plant no very special con- 

 struction appeared necessary at this stage other than that 

 convenient beds, ventilation, suitable temperature, and moisture 



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