INDOOR CULTURE. ^9 



and insert them Sin. apart each way. Make a cavity for 

 each by means of the hand, as advised in Chapter IV. 



Soiling; the Beds. — The beds are ready for soihng 

 about three days after spawning. Procure good loam, if 

 possible, and pass through a half-inch sieve; then apply 2in. 

 of it to the surface of the bed and beat it down firmly. After 

 soiling cover with about 1ft. of straw or hay litter. See 

 chapter on " Watering " for further details. 



Temperature for Indoor Beds. — Some few 

 readers may have the convenience of a heated structure for 

 growing mushrooms in, and these are warned to be sparing 

 of the fire heat. Only enough should be turned on to keep 

 the temperature at about 50 deg. , and this will only be 

 needed when there are no fresh beds in the house, these lattei- 

 affecting the heat considerably. We do not assert that 

 another five degree* would do harm, but the best mushrooms 

 are obtained in the temperature recommended, an occasional 

 drop to 45 deg. doing no injury. As a matter of fact, it is 

 only during the coldest weather that beds in sheds and other 

 unheated places stop producing for a time. The walls and 

 floors in heated houses should be syringed once or twice a 

 day, but, as before hinted, care must be taken not to 

 moisten the beds undulv. 



