14 
THE LADIES’ FLORAL CABINET. 
perience has shown that the best way to make use of 
space and material is to raise the beds to the height of 
twenty or twenty-four inches with the width about the 
same as the foundation. An excessive rise of the temper¬ 
ature in consequence of renewed fermentation is to be 
less feared than when the beds are of larger dimensions. 
Tub. 
When a large place is at disposal, preference is given to 
beds with two slanting sides; and when the beds rest 
against a wall, and consequently present but one useful 
side, the width ought to be less than the height. 
Barrels sawn in two so that each part forms a tub, are 
well adapted for beds. Shelves on which sugarloaf¬ 
shaped beds may be raised are also desirable, as they can 
be formed before they are carried into cellars, etc., where 
the introduction of raw materials would be objectionable. 
The beds thus established should be left for a few days 
before spawning to see whether the fermentation will not 
be renewed with excessive vigor, which may be ascer¬ 
tained by the touch of the hand ; but it is safer to use the 
thermometer, for as long as the temperature exceeds 
eighty-six degrees Fahr. the bed is too hot, and openings 
should be made with a stick to allow some of the heat to 
escape, or else leave it until it cools by itself. When the 
temperature remains at seventy-six degrees it is time for 
spawning. Prepared spawn can be obtained from the 
seed trade at nearly all seasons. A few days before 
spawning it is advisable to expose the spawn to a moder¬ 
ately warm moisture, which will insure a safer and more 
rapid growth ; it should be broken up in pieces about the 
length and thickness of the hand, by half that width, and 
inserted in the bed at a distance of ten or twelve inches 
each way. In beds from twenty to twenty-four inches 
in height, which are mostly in use, it should be inserted 
in two rows, dovetail fashion. 
When the bed is situated in a place under cover, and of 
an even temperature, nothing else is to be done but wait 
for the growth; if, however, the bed is placed where it 
will be exposed to the changes of the weather it must be 
covered with long litter or hay to keep a uniform tempera¬ 
ture all around the bed. 
Under favorable circumstances, and if the work has 
been done well, the spawn ought to show activity in seven 
or eight days. It is best to examine it and replace such 
spawn as will not thrive, which can be seen by the ab¬ 
sence of white filaments in the surrounding material. 
Fifteen or twenty days later the spawn ought to have 
taken possession of the whole bed and come to the sur¬ 
face ; the top and sides of the bed should then be cov¬ 
ered with soil, for which a light mould in preference to a 
heavy one should be used, slightly moistening it without 
making it too wet. 
If it does not naturally contain saltpetre it would be 
good to administer a small quantity of salt or saltpetre, or 
else give it a watering of farm-yard manure. The cover¬ 
ing with soil should not exceed an inch in depth, and be 
pressed down well, so as to adhere firmly; watering 
should only be done when the soil becomes very dry. If 
necessary to remove the covering at any time it must be 
replaced at once. 
A few weeks after, according to the state of temper¬ 
ature, the Mushrooms will appear. In gathering them 
care should be taken to fill the empty spaces with the 
same soil as used for the covering. Leaving the bed to 
itself it will produce Mushrooms for two or three months, 
but its fertility may be prolonged by careful waterings at 
a temperature of sixty-eight to eighty-six degrees Fahr. 
with an admixture of guano or saltpetre. 
By establishing under cover three or four beds annually 
in succession, a continued supply may be reckoned upon; 
besides, during the summer months beds may be raised 
Movable Shelf. 
out of doors at very little expense, securing an abundant 
supply. Frames in which vegetables are forced, may in 
the intervals be used for Mushroom culture with very 
good results, providing the temperature is congenial and 
that the young Mushrooms are slightly protected with 
soil as soon as they appear. 
THE PyEONY. 
T HE Paeony derives its name from Paeon, a Greek 
physician, who, it is said, employed this plant as a 
medicine for the healing of Pluto, who was wounded by 
Hercules. 
P. officinalis, the old and well-known crimson variety, 
was first introduced into England from Switzerland, its 
native habitat, in 1548. P. albiflora, the old double 
white, was introduced from Siberia about the same time. 
P. tenuifolia, or Fern-leaved Paeony, is a native of Prussia, 
and was brought to England in 1765. There are of this 
species both double and single varieties. P. Moutan, or 
Tree Paeony, and its varieties, are natives of China. 
The Paeonies grown in our gardens are divided into two 
classes, the Tree Paeonies and the Herbaceous. The 
former are said to grow in their native home to a height 
of eight and ten feet. They were introduced into England 
