FORCING MUSHROOMS. 
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plants, &c. (See article Cabbage.) For such Head Lettuce 
as may be wanted for use before Christmas, the Hardy Green, 
the Loco Foco, and Coss, are the most suitable kinds to 
sow ; and plants may be raised in the open border by sow- 
ing seed two or three times between the middle of August 
o o 
and the first week in September. The plants from these 
sowings may be set out, about six inches apart, in cold-beds, 
when they $re one or two inches high. 
In September and early in October, some of the Silesia, 
Sugar Loaf, Butter Lettuce, or any other esteemed sorts, 
may be sown in a cold-bed frame, which, with the aid of 
sashes, will produce plants in from a month to six weeks ; 
these being planted in gentle hot-beds in November and 
December, will produce Head Lettuce until a plentiful sup- 
ply can be obtained from the open borders. The same at- 
tention is necessary, as respects the protection of these beds, 
as for other half-hardy plants. 
FORCING MUSHROOMS AT ALL SEASONS. 
The Agaricus is said to be the most extensive genus in 
the vegetable kingdom. The species are determined upon 
various principles. As some of the kinds are poisonous, it 
is necessary to describe the eatable Mushroom. Loudon 
says, it is most readily distinguished when of a middle size, 
by its fine pink or flesh-coloured gills, and pleasant smell. 
In a more advanced age, the gills become of a chocolate 
colour, and it is then more apt to be confounded with other 
kinds of dubious quality ; but that species which most nearly 
resembles it, is slimy to the touch, destitute of fine odour, 
and has a disagreeable smell. 
Again : the noxious kinds grow in woods, while the true 
Mushroom springs up chiefly in open pastures, and should 
be gathered only in such places. 
* Unwholesome fungi will sometimes spring up on artificial 
