MUSHROOM CrLTURE. 



4S5 



Fig. 



The manure to be used for this method of cultivation 

 should be prepared in the same Tray as that for the open-air 

 system described further on. Preference should be given 

 to a cellar producing 

 saline efflorescence ; it 

 should be as dark as pos- 

 sible, and exposed to no 

 draughts. The warmth 

 generated by the fermen- 

 tation of the manure will 

 subside^ and the sowing 

 of the spaim must not 

 be commenced until the 

 temperatui'e of the bed 

 has fallen below 76^ Fahr. 

 of spawn are liable to 

 cellars in many wavs. 



mm 



. Eed on rude Shelf against 

 Wall of Cellar. 



; if it is 

 be burnt. 

 Those made 



above this the layers 

 Beds can be made in 

 in the middle should 

 always be formed with two sides, 

 Avhile those against the walls should 

 r ] c- _ only be half as thick^ on account 



of their ha™g only one useful 

 side. It is also possible to arrange 

 - ' them on shelves, one above the 

 I ^^-^ '*^''^\ W^''^^ other. For this purpose strong 



bars of iron are driven into the 

 walls, upon which are placed 

 shelves of the proper size covered 

 with earth, upon which is formed 

 a bed, that is treated exactly as 

 those made upon the ground. 

 These beds are just as productive 

 as any of the other kinds. They 

 may even be made on the bottoms 

 of casks, which should be at least 

 two feet six in diameter; and 

 they are built up in the shape of a 

 sugarloaf, about three feet in height, and the pieces of spawn 

 are placed an inch and a quarter deep, and sixteeninches apart. 

 A barrel is sawn crossways into two pieces, each forming 



Pyramidal Mushroom Bed on 

 Floor of Cellar. 



