3 1 4 Abridged Communication. 



the bed by props and boards laid across, and at the distance 

 of about 3 in. from the surface. This will prevent the woodlice 

 from attacking them ; and the mushrooms will not be drawn 

 up weak, but will be firm and of a good flavour. In beds 

 under glass, the glass is covered in cold weather, and not the 

 bed inside, by which means the produce will be much greater, 

 and of better flavour. 



In conclusion, I beg to inform your correspondent, J. S. 

 (Vol. VII. p. 731.), that my success in the growth of mush- 

 rooms entirely depends on the quality and quantity of the 

 dung used : together with the depth of loam, which should 

 never be less than 3 in. It matters not whether the beds are 

 made under glass, or in pits without glass, provided they 

 are covered with something to keep out the wet and frost; 

 they will bear plenty of mushrooms either way. The only 

 motive I had for growing mushrooms under glass was that of 

 economy, by first having a crop of melons, and afterwards a 

 crop of mushrooms, on the same bed. Should any doubts 

 arise in the minds of any of your correspondents as to the 

 size and weight of the above mushrooms, I can refer them to 



gentlemen in this neighbourhood who have seen them mea- 

 ts o 



sured and weighed, and who have also seen the bed. [See 

 Vol. VII. p. 731.] I am, Sir, yours, &c. 



John Collier. 



Shopivick, Chichester, Jan. 30, 1832. 



Art. XI. Abridged Communication. 



To avoid the Danger of rank Steam from Dung Linings 

 injuring Plants in Frames. — Having seen, in your Magazine 

 (p. 39. and 40.), a plan suggested by a correspondent, to 

 prevent the rank steam of the outside dung from entering the 

 vacuity left to admit air by night into the frames of early 

 forced cucumbers, I beg leave to offer to your notice a very 

 simple remedy, which I find has the desired effect, and which 

 may be applied to any common lights. Instead of filling the 

 lights with glass in the usual way, I have two blank squares 

 of wood in the top of the lights, in the centre of which is a 

 hole cut 1 in. in diameter, and covered with a piece of tin 

 or lead, so fastened as to turn with ease : these I open, as 

 air may be required, either by day or night. — William 

 Prestoe, Gardener to G. Bulla', Esq. Hill Place, Draxford, 

 Hants, March 29. 1832. 



