108 
MUSHROOMS, HOW TO GROW THEM. 
induces greater fertility in the spawn, or, in other words, 
induces the spawn to spread further and produce more 
mushrooms than it would were no topdressing applied. 
I know that this is contrary to the opinions and writings 
of many, at the same time it is according to my own 
observation. 
Go over the bed very carefully and pick out every soft 
or “fogged-off ” mushroom, no matter how small it may 
be, and root out every bit of old mushroom stem or 
tough spongy material formed by it, and in this way get 
the bed thoroughly cleaned. Then fill up all the holes 
caused by pulling the mushrooms or rooting out the old 
stumps, and when the whole surface is level apply the 
topdressiug evenly all over the face of the bed, avoiding, 
as much as possible, burying the well advanced mush¬ 
rooms. While it would be very well to pack the dress¬ 
ing smoothly over the bed, it is impracticable; we may 
press it gently with the back of the hand on the bare 
spots between the mushrooms, but we should not even 
do this over the mushrooms, no matter how tiny they 
may be, else many of the “pinheads ” will be injured 
and cause “fogging off.” 
But we can firm the dressing to the bed by watering 
it, which may be done over the whole surface of the bed, 
and without sparing the mushrooms, large or small. 
Use clear water and apply it gently through a water-pot 
rose. I always do this, and have never known it to 
injure the young mushrooms. 
In the case of mushroom beds in which black spot has 
appeared in the crop, I have found that a topdressing of 
fine, fresh earth applied evenly all over the bed acts, to 
a certain extent, as a preventive of further attack, but 
of course has no effect upon any of the already affected 
mushrooms, large or small. 
