174 MtrSHEOOMS. 



beds dotted with tlie white Miishrooms that had 

 spnmg from beneath the hght covering of soil in a 

 single night. When these were gatliered others were 

 ready to take their place ; and the next morning 

 there would be the same profnse display, which was 

 continued from week to week. 



The conditions brought about by covering hem- 

 lock boards with earth soon rotted the rafters, and 

 the roof began to fall in, which forced us to abandon 

 the project. 



There was no difficulty in finding a market for 

 large quantities ; at times in the Winter we frequent- 

 ly sold them at one dollar a quart to hotels and 

 first-class eating-houses. 



In preparing these caves, the object was to get 

 all that was required for the best growth of the 

 Mushroom— -namely, darkness, and a moderate but 

 even temperature of fi'om forty-five to sixty degrees. 

 It is not necessary to construct a cave for this pur- 

 pose ; if these conditions can be liad in a house, cel- 

 lar, or part of a green-house, Mushrooms can be pro- 

 duced in abundance, by following the directions 

 about collecting and preparing tlie manure. 



Peepaeing Manuee. — The best manure is horse- 

 droppings, gathered from stables where straw is used 

 for bedding, but free from long straw. Sawdust, 

 salt, hay, and rags are unfriendly to the growth of 

 Mushrooms. As fast as these droppings are collected, 

 they should be put in a heap four feet wide, four feet 

 high, and as long as required. This heap should be 

 made under cover. In a few days the maimre will 

 begin to heat ; this should be allowed to go on until 



