GATHERING AND MAKKETINQ MUSHROOMS. 115 



turning it over." Mr. John G. Gardner, of Jobstown, 

 N. J., is one of Mr. Barnes's old pupils and a most suc- 

 cessful mushroom grower, and he now practices this 

 same method of moistening the atmosphere by hot ma- 

 nure steam. See page 21. 



In damping the floors of the mushroom house, as well 

 as the beds, I use a medium-sized watering pot and fine 

 rose; but in sprinkling the walls and other parts not 

 readily accessible by the watering pot I use a common 

 garden syringe. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



GATHERING AND MAEKETINQ MUSHROOMS. 



This is an important point in the cultivation of this 

 esculent, and should -be attended to with painstaking 

 discretion. 



When mushrooms are fit to pick depends upon several 

 conditions; for instance, whether for market or for 

 home use, and if for the latter, whether they are wanted 

 for soups or stews. For fresh and attractive appearance 

 and best appreciation in the market, pick them when 

 they are plump and fresh and just before the frill con- 

 necting the cap with the stem breaks apart. The French 

 mushrooms should always be gathered before the frill 

 bursts ; the English mushrooms also look best when 

 gathered at this time, but they are admissible if gath- 

 ered when the frill. begins to burst and before the cap 

 has opened out flat. If the mushrooms display a ten- 

 dency to produce long stems pick them somewhat earlier, 

 soon enough to get them with short shanks, for long 

 stems are disliked in market ; so, too, are dark or dis- 

 colored or old mushrooms of any sort. Sometimes w^e 



