BULLETIN OF THE 



UOTMIIOFAfflOJlM 



No. 127 



Contribution from the Bureau of Plant Industry, Wm. A. Taylor, Chief. 

 September 16, 1914. 



(PROFESSIONAL PAPER.) 



THE MYCOGONE DISEASE OF MUSHROOMS AND 



ITS CONTROL. 



By F. J. Veihmeyer, 



Formerly Scientific Assistant in the Office of Pathological 

 Collections and Inspection Work. 



INTRODUCTION. 



The industry of mushroom growing in this country has been steadily 

 increasing until to-day large establishments for the cultivation of 

 mushrooms are found in the vicinity of nearly all of the large cities. 

 In the eastern part of Pennsylvania there are many extensive mush- 

 room plants which supply the eastern markets. In one section there 

 are more than 250 establishments whose collective product exceeds 

 1,000,000 pounds of mushrooms annual!} 7 , while many of the growers 

 individually send to market over 100,000 pounds a year. The sub- 

 stantial manner in which the modern mushroom houses are con- 

 structed and the extent and operation of the individual plants 

 represent investments of considerable magnitude; consequently, the 

 failure of a crop in even one mushroom house means a serious financial 

 loss to the grower. Because the knowledge and conditions necessary 

 for the successful cultivation of mushrooms are peculiar and unique, 

 and while it is recognized that various factors — such as an unsuitable 

 degree of humidity, imperfect ventilation, improper preparation of the 

 beds, the presence of insects, and other unfavorable conditions — may 

 be the cause of the loss of a crop or a large percentage of it, the growers 

 have only recently been led to appreciate that a fungous disease is 

 responsible for extensive losses. 



PREVALENCE OF THE DISEASE IN MUSHROOM BEDS. 



Many instances of total failures of mushroom houses are recorded. 

 For example, one growe?* reports the complete failure of four houses 

 and about two-thirds of another house. Houses that should have 



Note. — This bulletin describes a disease of mushrooms which causes great losses to growers and gives 

 methods of control. Of interest to mushroom growers generally. 



49597°— Bull. 127—14 1 



