CULTURE OF MUSHROOMS. 
125 
It may be considered presumptuous of me to offer these re¬ 
marks on one of our native plants, but under the above method 
of cultivation I have always met with success, and as they may 
not be without their use it demands some degree of attention 
from every gardener. 
CULTURE OF MUSHROOMS. 
V 
By Mr. G. Swanson. 
The following observations are confined to the forcing of the 
mushroom, in the practice of which I may boast some experi¬ 
ence ; and am certain, if the following directions are put in 
practice, and strictly adhered to, they will be found to be effec¬ 
tual. The common field mushroom (Agaricus campestris) is 
considered the best for all kitchen purposes. I will quote the 
following description from “ Rhind’s Vegetable Kingdom,” which 
says it is the only species of mushroom cultivated as an article 
of food in this country ; and as some other poisonous kinds very 
nearly resemble it, a minute description may not be without its 
use : — The stem of the edible mushroom is short, solid, and 
white, marked a little below the cup with a prominent ring, the 
remains of the curtain which covers the gills in their early 
stage. The cup is at first white, regularly convex, and a little 
turned in at the edge. As it advances in growth, the surface 
becomes brown, scaly, and flattened. The flesh is white, firm, 
and solid. The gills are loose, reaching to the stern on all 
sides, but not touching it; when young, these are of a pinky 
red, but change to a livid colour about the same time that the 
cup alters its form, and the upper surface also changes colour. 
The latter circumstances distinguish it in this stage from the 
dark-gilled toadstool, with which it might otherwise be con¬ 
founded. 
Having thus given a short description of the mushroom, the 
next and most important consideration to us all is the manner 
in which to make or procure the spawn. 
The spawn is to be found in decayed dryish rotten dung ; 
such as old hot beds, layers of decayed horse dung, dungy com¬ 
post heaps, horse mill tracks, and dungy horse rides in stable 
