On the Cultivation of Mushrooms. 7 



the glasses are put on, and kept close ; and when the mould 

 becomes dry, it must be frequently watered, but not immo- 

 derately, as too much wet would destroy the spawn ; advan- 

 tage should also be taken of every gentle shower, for the same 

 purpose. The moisture coming up on the dry earth, pro- 

 duces a moderate heat, which soon causes the Mushrooms to 

 appear in every part of the bed, in such abundance as even 

 to prevent each others growth. I have frequently, at one 

 time, gathered two bushels from a frame 10 feet by 6, and 

 have produced individual Mushrooms of nearly two pounds 

 weight. The mould being kept warm by the glasses, and 

 properly watered, the Mushrooms will continue to spring, till 

 the frost of winter prevents their further growth. I then 

 leave the bed, frame, &c. just as they are, and early in spring, 

 as soon as the frosts may be supposed to be over, I take off 

 the frame and glasses,* and cover the bed lightly with straw; 

 when the warm, enlivening showers of spring, cause the 

 Mushrooms to be again produced in every part, till the 

 drought of summer renders it difficult to keep the bed suffi- 

 ciently moist for their growth. Sometimes I suffer the bed 

 to remain, in order to produce a crop in the second autumn, 

 but more generally take the bed to pieces, for the sake of the 

 dung, and also for the purpose of procuring and drying the 

 spawn, against the return of spring. 



When I first thought of raising Mushrooms, in the manner 

 above described, T was apprehensive, lest the spawn, by run- 

 ning among the roots of the Melons, might injure their growth. 



* The frame and glasses are taken off in order to place them upon fresh beds; 

 but should they not be wanted, it would be more advisable to keep them on, and 

 the crop in the second autumn would be much increased. 



