420 VEGETABLE FORCING 
The common sowbug is also an enemy of the mush- 
room. It may multiply in decaying wood, or gain an 
entrance to the house through the manure or compost. 
This pest, if uncontrolled, will destroy many pounds of 
mushrooms in a very short time. An effective remedy is 
to place poisoned slices of raw potatoes over the beds. If 
only a few sowbugs appear, a little handpicking may be 
all that is required. 
Diseases.—Duggar believes it highly probable that the 
chief types of disease affecting cultivated mushrooms are 
due to one species, Mycogone perniciosa, which possesses 
two spore stages, and grows upon both the spawn and the 
mushrooms. The disease causes an enlargement of all 
parts of the mushroom, and usually covers it with a mold- 
like coating. In the second stage of the disease, the stem 
is greatly enlarged and the cap poorly developed. In this 
stage the mushrooms are very soft, and often decay before 
they attain normal size, though specimens of abnormal 
proportions occur in diseased beds. A 21% per cent solu- 
tion of lysol is recommended for spraying diseased beds, 
though fumigating with the vapors of formaldehyde is 
considered more effective. See “Mushroom Growing,” 
by Duggar, page 139. 
Diseases and insect enemies are not likely to cause 
serious losses in the growing of mushrooms if proper 
attention is given to sanitation. The soil, compost and 
lumber should be removed annually and all interior parts 
of the house thoroughly treated for the destruction of 
insect pests and disease germs. 
Picking and marketing.—The beds generally begin to 
produce in 6 to 8 weeks from the date of spawning, 
though 10 to 12 weeks may elapse, if the temperatures are 
abnormally low or if shavings manure has been used for 
the compost. The period of production is extremely vari- 
able, but it should continue for several months. 
It is necessary to look over the beds every day, so that 
