154 AMERICAN HOME GARDEN. 



been soaked and stirred. "When finished, the last layer being 

 loam, it must be covered -n-ith stable manure sufficient, with 

 that already in the bed, to bring on a gentle fermentation. 

 In a few weeks the " spaTiTi" ought to be found spreading 

 generally in the mass, and whenever this occurs the covering 

 of manure is to be taken off, and the straw substituted, as 

 above directed. After this, if it becomes very dry, it may 

 have occasional gentle waterings with lukewarm water. 



Li this process, however, success or faiku'c will greatly de- 

 pend on the skdl with which the fermentation is temperetl ; 

 so that, in general, planting the spawn may be deemed more 

 relialjle. A mushroom bed properly treated will continue to 

 yield its products for three or fom' months if a temperature 

 equal to moderate spring or fall wannth be maintained, say 

 about 60°. 



JMushrooms are very greatlj' esteemed l:>y many on accomit 

 of their rich, peculiar, and high flavor, whetlier stewed, or 

 fried in sweet fat, or made into catsup in the ordinary mode, 

 with suitaljle spices. 



In gathering wild mushrooms there is sometimes danger of 

 getting bjr mistake other kinds of fmigi which may he poison- 

 ous. The true mushroom has a short stout stem, reddish gills, 

 and an agreeable odnr, considerably resembling the smell of 

 the fruit of the egg-plant. 



Another variety of eatable mushroom (.Vgaricus Edulis), 

 kno'wn as the " steeple-top," is sometimes found, though much 

 more rarelj' than the former. 



In the lots it comes earlier than, the common, with a longer 

 stem and conical top, but having, like it, a pleasant smell. It 

 has not, I think, been raised artificially. 



MUSTARD. 



French, Moutardc. — German, Scnf. — Spanish, Mostaza. 



WHITE (really yellow). BROWN. 



BRIEF DIRECTIOXS. 



Sow the white mustard thickly in shallow drills a foot apart 

 from time to time through the season, each time one week 



