MUSHROOM CULTURE. 



4S7 



We will next turn to the culture of the Muski'oom in 

 the open air. In old times the market gardeners of Paris 

 used to groTT the Mushroom amongst their ordinary crops 

 ^th great profit^ but since the Champignonnistes cultivate 

 it under no danger from cold in the caves^ the market 

 gardeners^ "svho used to raise it to a great extent in the open 

 air^ do so now in a lesser degree. They begin with the 

 preparation of the manure^ and collect that of the horse for 

 a month or six weeks before they make the beds ; this they 

 prepare in some firm spot of the market-garden,, and take 

 from it all rubbishy particles of wood, and miscellaneous 

 matters; for^ say they^ the spawn is not fond of these 

 bodies. After sorting it thus^ they place it in beds two feet 

 thick^ or a little morC; pressing it with the fork. When 

 this is done the mass or bed is well stamped^ then thoroughly 

 watered^ and finally again pressed down by stamping. 

 It is left in this state for eight or ten days, by which 

 time it has begun to ferment, after which the bed 

 ought to be well turned over and re-made on the same place, 

 care being taken to place the manure that was near the 

 sides of the first-made bed towards the centre in the turning 

 and re-making. The mass is now left for another ten 

 days or so, at the end of which time the manure is about 

 in proper condition for making the beds that are to bear 

 the Mushrooms. Little ridge-shaped beds — about twenty- 

 six inches wide and the same in height — are then formed in 

 parallel lines at a distance of twenty inches one from the 

 other. 



In a market garden they may stretch over a considerable 

 extent. Their length being determined by the wants 

 of the grower. The beds once made of a firm, close- 

 fitting texture, the manure soon begins to warm again, but 

 does not become unwholesomely hot for the spread of the 

 spawn. When the beds have been made some days, the 

 cultivator spawns them, having of course ascertained be- 

 forehand that the heat is genial and suitable. Generally 

 the spawn is inserted within a few inches of the base, and 

 at about thirteen inches apart in the line. Some cultivators 

 insert two lines, the second about seven inches above the 



