MARCH. 
53 
Mr. W. Bull had three varieties of Camellias—Contessa Morelia, white, 
slightly flaked with carmine ; Venanzio, pale pinkish blush, suffused and flaked 
with rose; and Archiduc Carlo di Toscano, bright crimson, with pale rose 
centre, suffused with crimson, and flaked with white. From Messrs. Waterer 
and Godfrey came three plants of Aucuba japonica vera, one of them a very 
handsome variety, having very large clusters of bright red berries. From the 
gardens of the Society came various ornamental and flowering plants, among 
them was a Cattleya, sent home by Mr. Weir, and Libonia floribunda, a very 
handsome and free-flowering greenhouse shrub, which was awarded a first-class 
certificate. 
At the usual scientific meeting afterwards (presided over by Lord Henry 
Lennox, M.P.), the Rev. J. Dix made some comments on a few of the subjects 
present; as also did Mr. G. F. Wilson in regard to some of the fruit. The 
Rev. M. J. Berkeley produced a small branch of Wellingtonia gigantea, with 
male catkins, which had been obtained at Orton Longville, near Peterborough, 
and said to be the only specimens that had ever been produced in this country. 
Mr. W. Wilson Saunders also gave a very interesting address on the culti¬ 
vation, &c., of some Orchids he had brought with him. 
R. D. 
THE CULTIVATION OF THE MUSHROOM. 
The excellent article on the cultivation of the Mushroom by Mr. Saul 
(see page 22), is so much to the purpose, that I have some hesitation in sending 
a few observations on the growth of Mushrooms in a house built here. This 
Mushroom-house is heated with hot-water pipes, and the beds have slate sides 
and bottoms, with iron pillars to support them, thus doing away with all 
timber fittings, which constantly decay and favour the breeding of woodlice 
and other insects. 
Mr. Saul’s mode of preparing the horse-droppings is the best that can be 
adopted, for I find when droppings are thoroughly turned over daily in an open 
shed till dry, that beds can then be made with safety. His system of mixing 
loam with the droppings for large beds in sheds is likewise an excellent way 
of keeping such beds in a good bearing state, from the solidity and moisture so 
given them. When filling the beds here, after the droppings have been well 
turned over, and are dry enough, the beds are well trodden, or beaten very 
hard, and sometimes spawned on the same day. If any doubts are entertained 
as to the droppings not being fermented enough, or too wet, the holes are made 
and kept open, but the spawn is not inserted for a few days, till the heat is 
ascertained to be all right. The temperature of the house being kept at about 
an average of 60°, Mushrooms invariably appear in these beds in three or 
four weeks if the spawn be fresh and good. To make sure, I generally mix 
together the spawn from two or three different makers, when spawning the 
beds. The number of beds in the house here is twelve, and they are of large 
size, and the ease and certainty with which a large establishment can be daily 
supplied with Mushrooms is a proof that such houses are invaluable. 
Another great advantage in having such a house is, that Sea-kale, Rhubarb, 
Endive, and Chicory can be easily forced in any quantities. I keep a lot of 
deep boxes with lids for the Sea-kale and Chicory, the roots being boxed in 
November, and covered with litter, so as to be always ready for bringing in 
during the most severe weather. The Endive is brought in from the protected 
borders as wanted, and planted in an open bed, where it blanches in a few 
days. I call this house the Russian-house, for it does duty for thawing frozen 
vegetables in hard winters, as well as furnishing all the above necessaries. 
