140 
MUSHROOMS, HOW TO GROW THEM. 
old Russia mats and any other sort of cloth or carpet 
covering obtainable is laid over the litter on the beds 
and weighted down with poles, boards, stones, or any¬ 
thing else that is convenient. Do not disturb this cov¬ 
ering for about four weeks, and then on a dry day strip 
it off and shake up the litter loosely so as to dry it. If 
there is any white mold on the surface of the soil take a 
Fig. 27. The Covered Ridges. 
handful of straw and rub it off. If the bed is rather 
cold put a layer of clean, dry hay next the bed, and on 
top of this replace the littery covering. 
The first beds are made in August, and one or more 
every month after till March, just as time, convenience 
and material permit. Summer beds are not attempted 
unless in exceptional cases. The bulk of the beds are 
generally put in in September and October. In early 
fall, also in spring, beds yield mushrooms in about six 
weeks after spawning; in winter they take eight or nine 
weeks or more, much depending on the weather. 
In cold weather the mushrooms are gathered at noon¬ 
day ; if the weather is windy and it is possible to post- 
