Mushroom Diseases i6i 



growing. This becomes noticeable as a bluish-white, 

 moldy growth. The loam beds should be covered 

 with a three-inch layer of excelsior to keep them 

 from drying. The mushroom beds should be pro- 

 tected from the drippings of the overhead benches 

 by a roof of heavy waterproof cover. 



Watering. Care should be taken never to over- 

 water the beds. It is necessary to apply enough 

 water to keep the surface of the bed moist, but not 

 soaked. In watering the excelsior is often rolled 

 back or else water may be applied on top of it. 

 Beach''' recommends as the beds begin to bear that 

 they be watered twice a week with nitrate of soda 

 dissolved at the rate of one ounce to each gallon of 

 water. It is applied with a watering can in a quan- 

 tity sufficient to moisten, but not to soak the beds. 

 To promote good bearing and to prevent a rapid ex- 

 haustion, the beds are often coated over again with 

 a layer one and a half inches thick of fine mellow 

 loam. 



Diseases of the Mushroom 



Mushrooms are subject to few diseases. There 

 are but two which need concern the greenhouse man. 



Bacterial Spot 



Caused by Pseudomonas fluorescens (Fl.) Mig. 

 This disease, although serious, seems to be re- 



* Beach, S. A., New York (Geneva) Agr. Expt. Sta. Fourteenth 

 Ann. Rept: 33i-34i> 1895. 



