74 MUSHROOMS, HOW TO GROW THEM. 
“ We made up our beds this year with a proportion of 
loam in the manure, say one part loam to eight parts 
manure, but have always used clear manure heretofore, 
and I think the beds hold out longer than when only 
manure is used.” 
CHAPTER IX. 
MAKIMG UP THE MUSHROOM BEDS. 
The place in the cellar, shed, house, or elsewhere, 
where we intend to grow the mushrooms, should be in 
readiness as soon as the manure has been well prepared 
and is in proper condition for use. The bed or beds 
should be made up at once. The thickness of the beds 
depends a good deal upon circumstances, such as the 
quality of the manure,—whether it is plain horse manure, 
or manure and loam mixed together,—or whether the 
beds are to be made in heated or unheated buildings, 
and on the floor or on shelves. Ploor beds are generally, 
nine to fifteen inches deep; about nine inches in the 
case of manure alone, in warm quarters, and ten to four¬ 
teen inches when manure and loam are used. In cool 
houses the beds are made a few inches deeper than this 
so as to keep up a steady, mild warmth for a long time. 
The beds may be made flat, or ridged, or like a rounded 
bank against the wall; but the flat form is the common¬ 
est, and the most convenient where shelves are also used 
in the same building. Shelf beds are generally nine 
inches deep; that is, the depth of one board. 
In making up the beds, bring in the manure and 
shake it up loosely and spread it evenly over the bed, 
beating it down firmly with the back of the fork as you 
go along, and continue in this way until the desired 
