74 MUSHROOMS, HOW TO GROW THEM. 



" We made up our beds this year witli a proportion of 

 loam in the manure, say one part loam to eight parts 

 manure, but have always used clear manure heretofore, 

 and I think the beds hold out longer than when only 

 manure is used." 



CHAPTEK IX. 



MAKING T7P THE MUSHROOM BEDS. 



The place in the cellar, shed, house, or elsewhere, 

 where we intend to grow tiie mushrooms, should be in 

 readiness as soon as the manure has been well prepared 

 and is in proper condition for use. The bed or beds 

 should be made up at once. The thickness of the beds 

 depends a good deal upon circumstances, such as the 

 quality of the manure, — whether it is plain horse manure, 

 or manure and loam mixed together, — or whether the 

 beds are to be made in heated or unheated buildings, 

 and on the floor or on shelves. Floor beds are generally 

 nine to fifteen inches deep; about nine inches in the 

 case of manure alone, in warm quarters, and ten to four- 

 teen inches when manure and loam are used. In cool 

 houses the beds are made a few inches deeper than this 

 so as to keep up a steady, mild warmth for a long time. 

 The beds may be made flat, or ridged, or like a rounded 

 bank against the wall ; but the flat form is the common* 

 est, and the most convenient where shelves are also used 

 in the same building. Shelf beds are generally nine 

 inches deep ; that is, the depth of one board. 



In making up the beds, bring in the manure and 

 shake it up loosely and spread it evenly over the bed, 

 beating it down firmly with the back of the fork as you 

 go along, and continue in this way until the desired 



