MUSHROOMS. 



119 



the bed appears too dry, sprinkle it gently witli soft tepid 

 water in the morning. The water should be poured 

 through the rose of a watering-pot upon a thin layer of 

 straw, laid on for the purpose, and when the earth becomes 

 a little moistened, the straw should be removed, and the dry 

 covering replaced. In warm weather it will need frequent 

 sprinkling, but in winter very little. 



In four or five weeks after spawning, the bed should 

 begin to produce, and if kept dry and warm will last 

 several months. A gathering may take place two or 

 three times a week according to the productiveness. If it 

 should not come on in two or three months, a little more 

 warmth or a sprinkling of water will generally bring it 

 into plentiful bearing, unless the spawn has been destroyed 

 by over-heating or too much moisture. In gathering, de- 

 tach them with a gentle twist and fill the cavity with 

 mould ; do not use a knife, as the stumps left in the 

 ground become the nurseries of maggots which are liable 

 to infest the succeeding crop. Gather before they become 

 flat- — when half an inch or more in diameter, while compact 

 and firm. 



Use. — This "voluptuous poison" has been cultivated and 

 in high esteem among epicures since the time of the 

 Romans. They are employed in catsups, pickles, and 

 rich gravies and considered by those accustomed to them 

 very delicious. Dried and powdered they are preserved 

 in closely stopped bottles for times when they are not to 

 be procured fresh. 



To Stew. — Cut off the part of the stem that grows in 

 the earth ; wash carefully, and take off the skin from the 

 top ; place in a stew-pan with salt, without water ; stew 

 felowly, shaking the pan occasionally until tender ; then 



