THE AMATEUR’S KITCHEN GARDEN. 203 
temperature of frames on beds of fermenting materials can 
be maintained by means of linings, applied in the same 
manner as during the early part of the season. The Rev. 
W. Williamson states that he has gathered as many as two 
bushels of mushrooms at one time from a frame ten feet 
by six. 
Cultivation in Boxes. — The long egg boxes, which are 
about six feet in length, two feet in width, and twelve 
inches in depth, are the most suitable, as they are capable 
of holding a good body of manure, and at the same time are 
not so big that they cannot be moved about if retpiired. 
These should be filled with three parts horse-droppings and 
one part loam, in precisely the same condition as advised 
for the beds. It must also be beaten quite hard and spawned, 
and covered with soil in the same way. A box of this size 
will continue to produce nice dishes of mushrooms for a 
period of six or eight weeks. Large pots, pans, shallows 
baskets, or boxes of a smaller size than those mentioned may 
be turned to account in the same way. When filled they can 
be placed in a cellar, greenhouse, or similar place. About 
forty years ago Baron Joseph d’Hoogvorst, of Limmel, near 
Brussels, published a treatise on his system of growing mush- 
rooms on shelves. These resemble troughs about a foot 
wide and twelve inches deep, and are fixed against the walls 
of stables and cellars, in tiers extending from the floor to the 
ceiling, with a curtain suspended in front to shut out light 
and air. According to the treatise, he gathered abundant 
supplies from the shelves, but they do not appear to possess 
any decided advantage excepting where the space is very 
limited. They are certainly awkward to fill, and owing to 
the small body of materials the beds made in them do not 
-continue in bearing long. As remarked above, we do not 
believe in toy systems, and therefore, shall say no more on 
■this part of the subject. 
In Gathering the Crop it is important to cut them as 
low down as possible, for when a considerable portion of the 
stem is left it affords a harbour for maggots. At the same 
time care must be taken to avoid disturbing the small mush- 
rooms with which those ready for the table are frequently 
surrounded. If not gathered in the form of buttons, they 
should be gathered immediately they have attained a fair 
size and before the gills assume a dark colour. 
