440 



THE VEGETABLE GARDEN 



and at all seasons, by following some directions which we shall 

 endeavour to give as briefly and clearly as possible. The con- 

 ditions essential to success in cultivating Mushrooms consist in 

 growing them in very rich artificial soil and in a moderately warm 

 steady temperature. And it is for this last that cellars and old 

 subterranean quarries are often utilised for their culture. Any 

 other kind of place would answer equally well, provided that, either 

 naturally or by the use of artificial means, its temperature never 

 rose above 86° Fahr., nor fell much below 50° Fahr. 



After selecting a suitable place, the first thing to attend to is 

 the making of the bed or beds in which the Mushrooms are to 



grow. The indispensable 

 ingredient of this is horse- 

 manure, if possible that 

 of strong, well-fed animals, 

 not too abundantly bedded 

 with straw, for it is best 

 that the manure should 

 not contain too much 

 straw. It will not do to 

 make the beds with this 

 manure just as it comes 

 from the stable, as the 

 fermentation would be too 

 great and would give out 

 too much heat. It should, 

 therefore, be tempered 

 down by mixing it as 

 thoroughly as possible 

 with a fourth or a fifth 

 , / ^ 1 ^ part of good garden soil. 



Mushrooms (natural size). \ ^ . , 



As soon as this is done, 

 the beds should be at once made with the mixture, which will 

 ferment slowly and give out a moderate constant heat. Care 

 should be taken to place the beds in a very well-drained place, 

 rather dry than damp ; and when they are made, all projecting 

 straws, etc., should be removed and the surfaces made level and 

 very firm. 



If the manure is used pure, as it is by some Mushroom growers 

 about Paris, it should be allowed to spend some of its heat before 

 being employed. For this purpose it is brought from the stables 

 to a place of preparation, where it is put into a square heap, about 

 a yard or more high, formed of successive layers, well mixed 

 together, so as to render the whole mass as homogeneous as 

 possible, all foreign substances being carefully eliminated. Any 

 parts that seem too dry are slightly moistened ; the sides are then 



