INDOOR CULTURE. 'l: 



CHAPTER V. 



INDOOR CULTURE. 



The month of September is a good time to form beds in out- 

 houses, disused stable stalls, and, in particular, those snug 

 thatched sheds often to be found in a corner near to a garden. 

 These latter are usually utilised for the storage of potatoes 

 and other roots and a variety of lumber. An equally suit- 

 able place might frequently be found for " ware " potatoes 

 or those to be eaten, and still better storage quarters might 

 easily be found for the seed or planting tubers, these keeping 

 best in lighter quarters. Much lumber might be burnt with 

 advantage, and with a very little contrivance room for one 

 or more good mushroom beds be found. 



Forming the Beds—The beds may be formed either 

 on the floor, being enclosed by the walls at the back and side 

 or sides and the front kept together by means of stout stakes 

 and boards not less than l-|in. in thickness and 14in. deep. 

 Strong benches with similar front boards are also suitable for 

 mushroom beds, and these in reg-ular mushroom houses are 

 to be seen one above another, good head-room between them 

 only being needed. Sheds with open fronts may be turned to 

 good account for mushroom beds, only in 'this case more 

 protection from cold winds must be afforded. Sufficient 

 manui'e having been prepared, as previously advised, spread 

 a good layer of this over the bottom of enclosure, and either 

 well trample it or beat it down with a mallet or back of fork. 

 Then add other layers, and beat or trample them down as 

 before, eventually finishing off with a depth of 12in. in front 

 and loin, at the back, leaving it in a smooth, solid state. 

 Thrust two or more trial sticks into the bed, examine fre- 

 quently, and spawn when the heat stands at about SOdeg., 



