304 
The Garden Magazine, February, 1921 
absolute cleanliness, remove several inches of the surface soil 
and replace with a good, rich, compost especially prepared for 
this purpose which contains about ten per cent, bone meal and 
a good sprinkling of some high grade fertilizing material of the 
type of ichthemic guano. Do not give any water until the 
actual starting period. Except as to the stripping of the bark, 
Peaches and Nectarines are treated similarly. If the fruit 
houses are started early in the season frequent tapping 
of the canes or the use of a camel’s hair brush to cross-fertilize 
the flowers becomes necessary to set the fruit. This is especially 
necessary if the weather is dull and dark at the setting time. 
Mushrooms and Vegetables Under the Benches 
A SPARAGUS, Rhubarb, and Mushrooms may be grown under 
J \ the benches. Practically no skill is required in forcing 
Asparagus or Rhubarb; it is simply a question of having a suffi- 
ciency of large-sized roots, which, given warmth and moisture. 
can be planted in any ordinary soil, the growth being practically 
determined by the development of the crown in the previous 
year. 
Mushrooms, however, are not so easily grown. While the 
crop is not so very exacting, yet it is somewhat erratic in be- 
havior because of varying conditions of the temperature and 
moisture of the bed. The essentials are a supply of good, fresh 
droppings to assure having the proper heat, frequently turning 
the pile to eliminate burning until the temperature has started 
to recede. The material may then be placed under the benches 
and thoroughly firmed (remember “ thoroughly”). When, after 
firming, the temperature starts to recede plant the spawn at 
ninety degrees and cover the bed with about one inch of 
screened earth. Occasional sprinkling will be necessary to 
offset the natural evaporation of moisture, but under no cir- 
cumstances keep the bed wet. A mushroom bed may be made 
in any convenient place where the desired temperature can be 
kept up. 
THE PROMISE OF EARLY FRUIT 
Growing fruit under glass on dwarf trees in pots or tubs offers a table luxury of exceptional merit. 
The odd space in such a house can be utilized for all kinds of bedding stock as is here shown 
