1544 The Vegetable Industry in New Yokk State 



with the cap. If the product is to be sold most of the stem 

 should be cut off and the cap brushed lightly to remove any traces 

 of soil. For marketing, mushrooms are usually packed in baskets, 

 the size holding four pounds being the most popular. These 

 should be lined with paraffined paper, preferably blue in color, 

 which makes an attractive package and one in which the mush- 

 rooms keep well. 



Fig. 473. — Mushrooms Attractively Packed for Market 



When a bed becomes exhausted its use for mushroom growing 

 is over, although it makes an excellent garden fertilizer. It must 

 be cleaned out thoroughly, all woodwork whitewashed, and the 

 building or room fumigated, after which preparation may be made 

 at any time for a new crop, starting with fresh material as in the 

 beginning. 



INSECTS AKD DISEASES 



The mushroom has some insect enemies, chief of which are 

 sow bugs or wood lice. These may be controlled by poisoning. 

 Dip pieces of potato into a strong solution of arsenic or paris 

 green and put them in small yellow boxes or tins with some dry 

 rubbish. These boxes placed on the beds will attract, kill and 

 collect the bugs in one operation. 



Snails sometimes cause trouble but these are easily caught by 

 using lettuce or cabbage leaves. 



