314 Forcing Mushrooms. 



in their humid climate, cannot exist. Trees subjected to root- 

 pruning from infancy are most likely to prove eminently success- 

 ful ; and it is not to be supposed that such as are old, and infirm 

 in habit, can be rendered all that could be wished without much 

 precaution. But I have already so far exceeded all reasonable 

 bounds, that the remainder (should it prove sufficiently interest- 

 ing), must be reserved till next Number. 

 Folhtone, May ]4. 1842. 



Art. VIII. On forcing Mushrooms. By J. Wighton. 



In the gardens of the wealthy there are houses heated by 

 flues for the growth of mushrooms: but this can be accom- 

 plished in any dry shed or cellar, where the temperature does 

 not fall below 45°, nor rise above 70°, of Fahrenheit. Various 

 kinds of materials are recommended for making mushroom beds ; 

 but the best is fresh manure from horses that are highly fed, 

 mixed with light soil in a small quantity. 



How to make the Bed. — Take a quantity of the manure and 

 spread it so as to lie about 4 in. deep ; beat it firmly down with 

 a mallet. After a few days repeat the same, and again at 

 intervals, till the bed becomes about 14 in. deep. To ascertain 

 the degree of heat, put two or three sharp-pointed sticks into 

 the bed, and when, upon being drawn out, they feel about milk 

 warm, it is time to put in the mushroom spawn ; but the heat 

 must be rather on the decline than otherwise. 



How to use the Mushroom Spawn. — Break the spawn into 

 pieces about the size of a hen's egg ; place them all about the 

 bed about 1 ft. apart, and 2 in. below the surface ; beat the 

 whole down hard. Be careful not to let the heat increase above 

 the degree mentioned above, otherwise the spawn will be de- 

 stroyed, and the bed must be stocked again with fresh spawn. 

 Indeed, for security's sake, it is always best to repeat this, 

 when the heat is on the decline. After all danger of increased 

 heat is past, cover the bed with light soil about 2 in. deep, 

 then beat it down hard. Mushrooms always do best in a firm 

 hard soil ; however hard, they will find their way through it ; they 

 have even been known to raise the pavement of a cellar floor. 



Management of the Bed. — Examine the sticks which were 

 originally placed in the bed ; if they are lukewarm, all is right. 

 A few days afterwards, cover the bed with hay or straw ; but if 

 it increase the heat, remove it for a time. If the place is warm 

 and dark, this covering may be dispensed with. In five or six 

 weeks, the mushrooms ought to appear. A gentle watering 

 now and then will hasten their growth ; but too much will cause 

 the spawn to rot, and then, of course, the bed will be unpro- 

 ductive, whereas it ought to produce for five or six weeks. The 



