[6] 



II. On the Cultivation of Mushrooms, in exhausted Cucumber 

 or Melon Beds. In a Letter to the Secretary. By the 

 Rev. William Williamson. 



Read October 7, 1817. 



Sir, 



In a Paper, in the second volume of the Horticultural 

 Transactions* an account is given of a method of raising 

 Mushrooms, by means of a stove ; but as it seems expensive, 

 and out of the reach of many people, I am induced to send 

 the Society an account of a method, which I have pursued, 

 with great success, for several years. It is more economical 

 than the one alluded to, and can be put in practice by any 

 one, who is in the habit of raising either Cucumbers or 

 Melons. 



Having made my Melon bed in the usual manner, when 

 the burning heat is over, and the bed is ready to be earthed 

 to a sufficient thickness, I place spawn on the sides of the 

 hills, and also on the surface of the bed, and then cover the 

 whole with mould, as usual, managing the Melons exactly in 

 the same manner as if the spawn were not there, not omit- 

 ting even to tread it, as I find that a compact loam is more 

 congenial to the growth of the Mushroom, than the light rich 

 compost of the Cucumber bed. The heat will soon cause 

 the spawn to run, and extend itself through the dung, to the 

 surface of the ground. In September, or October following, 

 when the Melon bine is decaying, the bed is carefully cleaned, 



* Page 212. 



