28 



DREER'S RELIABLE SEEDS 



Hu5lirooin5. 



Clhampignonhrot,GE.B.. Champignon, Fe. 

 Seta 6 Huevas de Hongos, Sp. 



The cultivation of this nutritious escu- 

 lent is a very simple matter and requires 

 oiilv ordinary intelligence and care. 

 The materials needed are fresh horse 

 manure, good soil and live spawn. Tlie 

 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 

 bed's, 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. If a 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, 2i 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 a.n- E.^cact Reproduction from a Photograph of Mushrooms grown on a 



spawn results in larf'er crops. Manv Greenhouse Bench at The Model Farm, Philadelphia. 



oeas fail to give satisfactory returns owing to the bricks being broken in too small 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 wlien put on it is 

 apt to crack and thereby permit the heat to escape instead of permeating ;he bed evenly. If the soil is light, put on 

 to the depth of two inches, but if heavy one inch will be sufficient. The bed should again be covered with the litter, 



and it should remain orv till the bed is exhausted, only remov- 

 ing it to gather the crop. If the 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 

 pits. The requirements as to manure, soil, etc., are similar, 

 h\it the season can be prolonged and the temperature regu- 

 lated more easily than in the open air. Many are successfully 

 grown on a sheL in an ordinary cellar and yield sufficient 

 crop to compensate the grower for liis effort. Si)ent 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 cut 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, per lb., 50 cts. ; 3 lb. boxes, $1.25. 

 ENGLISH, per brick, 20 cts. ; .$2.00 per doz. 



Agaricus Campestris. 



Add 8 cts. per lb. or i6 cts. per brick if to be forwarded by mail. 



