26 DREER’S RELIABLE SEEDS 
Mushrooms. 
Chumpignonbrot, GER. Champignon, FR. 
Seia 6 Huevas de Honges, SP. 
The cultivation of this nutritious escu- 
lent is a very simple matter and requires 
only ordinary intelligence and care. 
The materials needed are fresh horse 
manure, good soil and live spawn. The 
manure should not be too short, as it 
does not combine the necessary qualities. 
Long strawy litter, plentifully mixed with 
short manure, makes by far the best 
beds, as it does not heat too violently, 
decomposes slowly and retains its heat 
for a long period. Put in a heap and 
turn every 3 or 4 days to permit the es- 
cape of noxious gases and prevent burn- 
ing. Manure that has become white 
or “ fire-fanged”’ and mouldy is worthless 
for mushroom beds. When ready for use 
it should not possess an offensive odor 
and should be as hot as can be borne 
comfortably by the hand. It should also 
be moist, for if too dry the decomposi- 
tion of the mass will be rapid and the 
bed exhausted before the crop has ma- 
tured. Ifa shed or cellar is not avail- 
able they can be grown in the open air, 
but the time necessary to perfect a crop 
will be longer. Make the beds 3 feet 
wide at the base, 2} feet high, tapering 
to 6 inches at the top and of any desired 
length. The manure, when in proper 
condition, should be quickly handled to 
prevent the loss of heat and be beaten 
down to make the heap firm and com- 
pact. When of the desired size the sides 
should be dressed down neatly and the 
heap covered with long litter. Allow 
this to remain till the heat has decreased 
to 90°. At this point the bed is ready to 
receive the spawn, which is done by rais- 
ing the manure with the hand and in- 
serting pieces of spawn 2 inches square, 



9 inches apart each way. Liberal use of An Exact REPRODUCTION FROM A PHOTOGRAPH OF MUSHROOMS GROWN ON A 
spawn results in larger crops. Many Gresnnouse BencH aT THE Moper Farm, PHILADELPHIA, 
peas rail to give satisfactory returns owing to the bricks being broken in too smali pieces. At the expiration of three 
days the spawn will have commenced to run, and the bed is in proper condition for covering with soil. Any good, 
fresh soil will answer, but turfy loam from an old pasture or meadow is preferable. If the soil is poor, add a liberal 
quantity of bone meal. The earth should be just moist enough to press together nicely. If too wet when put on it is 
apt to crack and thereby permit the heat to escape instead of permeating she bed evenly. If the soil is light, put on 
to the depth of two inches, but if heavy one inch will be sufficient. {he bed should again be covered with the litter, 
' and it shouid remain ox till the bed is exhausted, only remov- 
ing it to gather the crop. If tne bed shows signs of dryness, 
water on top of the litter, and not directly on the soil. 
Mushrooms can be readily grown in cellars, stables, sheds or 
its. The requirements as to manure, Soil, ete., are similar, 
oes the season can be prolonged and the temperature regu- 
‘sted more easily than in the open air. Many are successfully 
grown on a shelr in an ordinary cellar and yield sufficient 
crop to compensate the grower for his effort. Spent hot-beds 
also meet the requirements of the mushroom in a large 
measure. Bits of spawn can be inserted before the bed has 
- become cold between the plants. When the plants are re- 
moved keep shaded with long litter and water occasionally if 
necessary. The space under greenhouse benches or stagings 
will suit them exactly, using materials in same manner as de- 
scribed. They will also grow admirably on top of the bench, 
as shown in the illustration, using cloth for shading instead 
of litter. The time required for a bed to come into bearing 
is 3 to 6 weeks. In gathering the crop do not eut with a knife, 
but pull them up with a twisting motion. The spawn we offer 
is the best French and English. Amateurs and ordinary cul- 
tivators will find the English best suited to their needs, Full 
and explicit instructions are contained in our circular, “ How 
to Grow Mushrooms Successfully,’ which we will mail free 
on application. 
French Spawn. In 3 Ib. boxes, $1.25. English Spawn, per brick 20 
Acaricus CAMPESTRIS. cts., per doz. bricks $2.00, or per 25 Ibs. $3.00, 50 Ibs. $5.50, 100 lbs. $10.00. 
I 
Add 8 cts. per Ib. or x6 cts. per brick if to be forwarded by mail. 









