MUSHROOM

Agaricus campestris



The Mushroom has many friends among all classes, few benevolent

neutrals, and fewer still who are absolutely hostile to it as an article

of food. Those who find, or imagine they find, that this delicacy does

not agree with them, might possibly arrive at another conclusion were a

different mode of preparation adopted, or were the consumption of it

accompanied with a full persuasion that the Mushroom is not merely

delicious in flavour, but thoroughly wholesome, rich in flesh-forming

constituents, and, for a vegetable, possessed of more than the average

proportion of fat-formers and minerals. These facts have been clearly

established by chemical analysis, and may dispose of timid misgivings,

always supposing the true edible Mushroom, Agaricus campestris, to be

in question.



Hitherto the artificial production of Mushrooms has never been equal to

the demand. Notwithstanding the enormous quantities sent to Covent

Garden by the growers around London, many tons are imported from France,

although it is generally admitted that they are neither so fine nor so

rich in flavour as those produced in this country. If, however, the

large centres of population are inadequately supplied, the scarcity of

Mushrooms is more keenly felt in the provinces, except, perhaps, in

certain favoured districts, where, after a few warm days in autumn, an

abundant crop may be gathered from the neighbouring pastures. Then there

is a brave show in the greengrocers' windows for a brief period,

followed by entire dearth for weeks, and perhaps months. Obviously,

therefore, the demand, large as it already is, might be immensely

augmented by a commensurate supply. Yet it is not only possible but

quite easy to grow Mushrooms for the greater part of the year in very

small gardens, even when such gardens are entirely destitute of the

appliances usually considered necessary for the higher flights of

horticulture. The idea that Mushroom-growing is somewhat of a mystery,

forbidden to all but the strictly initiated, has happily been dispelled.

If we examine the conditions under which Mushrooms grow freely in

pastures, it is surprising how few and simple are the elements of

success. The crop generally appears in September, when temperature is

genial and fairly equable, with sufficient but not superabundant

moisture. The artificial production of Mushrooms in the garden needs

only reliable spawn, a sweet fertile bed, and some means of maintaining

a steady temperature under varying atmospheric conditions. When the

principles of Mushroom culture are thoroughly mastered, they may be

successfully applied in many different ways, and they render the

practical work easy and tolerably certain.



The Spawn.--Although the Mushroom may be grown from seed, it is seldom

done except for strictly scientific purposes. The seeds are, however,

largely disseminated by Nature, and, having found a suitable home, they

germinate and produce an underground growth which at a hasty glance

resembles mildew. It really consists of white gossamer-like films, which

increase in number and distinctness as they develop, until they push

their way towards the surface, and give rise to the growth above ground

of the Mushroom. It follows that if we do not begin the cultivation with

seeds or spores, we must resort to the white films or 'mycelium,' that

the growth of the plant may begin in Nature's own way below ground. What

is called 'Mushroom Spawn' consists of certain materials from the stable

and the field, mixed and prepared in such a manner as to favour the

development of the mycelium of the Mushroom. When dried, the cakes have

the appearance of an unburnt brick. The preparation of the spawn, though

a very simple matter, demands the skill and care of experienced

operators. If the work is not well done, the spawn will be of poor

quality, and will yield a meagre crop, or perhaps fail to produce a

single Mushroom. Whether the cakes or bricks are impregnated in the

manner long practised in this country, or direct from the tissue of the

Mushroom, the culture remains the same. Provided that the spawn is good,

it has but to be broken into lumps of a suitable size, and inserted in

the bed, to impregnate the entire mass with the necessary white films.

These will take their time to collect from the soil the alkalies and

phosphates of which Mushrooms principally consist, and this part of

their work being done, the fruits of their labours will be displayed

above ground in the elegant and sweet-smelling fungus that few human

appetites can resist when it is placed upon the table in the way that it

deserves. Experts can readily form an opinion as to whether a cake of

Mushroom spawn is or is not in a fit state for planting, and it will be

a safe proceeding for the amateur to buy from a Firm which has a large

and constant sale; otherwise, spawn may be purchased which was

originally well made and properly impregnated, but has lost its vitality

through long keeping.



Soil.--As to soil, it is well known that in a favourable autumn

Mushrooms abound in old rich pastures, and those who have command of

turf cut from a field of this character have only to stack the sods

grass side downwards for a year or two, and they will be in possession

of first-class material for Mushroom beds either in the open or under

cover. But small gardens, particularly in towns, have no such bank to

honour their drafts, and for these it becomes a question of buying a

load or two of turfy loam, or of making the soil of the garden answer,

perhaps with a preliminary enrichment by artificial manure. In the

general interests of the garden, the money for a limited quantity of

good loam would probably be well spent, independently of the question of

Mushrooms. No great bulk is necessary to cover a moderate-sized Mushroom

bed, but the quality of the soil will certainly have an influence on the

number and character of the Mushrooms. As a proof of the exhaustive

nature of the fungus, it almost invariably happens that when the soil is

used a second time it tends to diminish the size and lower the quality

of the crop.



Manure.--In the management of the manure two essentials must be borne

in mind. Not only is nourishment for the plant required, but warmth

also. Probably a large proportion of the failures to grow Mushrooms

might, if all the facts were known, be traced to some defect in the

manure employed, or to some fault in its preparation. It must be rich in

the properties which encourage and support the development of Mushrooms,

absolutely free from the least objectionable odour, for the plant is

most fastidious in its demand for sweetness, although it can dispense

with light; and there must remain in the manure when made into a bed a

sufficient reserve of fermentation to insure prolonged heat, no matter

what the temperature of the atmosphere may be. Of course, the duration

of the heat will depend very much on the care with which it is conserved

by suitable covering and management. These requirements, formidable as

they may seem, can be insured with extreme ease; indeed, the work is

apparently far more difficult and complicated on paper than it proves to

be in practice.



Preparation of the Bed.--The manure should come from stables occupied

by horses in good health, fed exclusively on hard food. The most

suitable store is the floor of a dry shed, or under some protection

which will prevent the loss of vital forces. Ammonia, for example, is

readily dissipated in the atmosphere or washed away by rain. The manure

should neither be allowed to become dust dry, nor to waste its power in

premature fermentation. Operations may be commenced with three or four

loads. A smaller quantity increases the difficulty of maintaining the

requisite temperature when fermentation begins to flag. The first

procedure is to make the manure into a high oblong heap well trodden

down. If the stuff be somewhat dry, a sprinkling of water over every

layer will be necessary. In a few days fermentation will make the heap

hot all through, and then it must be taken to pieces and remade, putting

all the outside portions into the interior, with the object of insuring

equal fermentation of the entire bulk. This process will have to be

repeated several times at intervals of three or four days until the

manure has not only been fermented but sweetened. When ready it will be

of a dark colour, soft, damp enough to be cohesive under pressure, but

not sufficiently damp to part with any of its moisture, and almost

odourless; at all events the odour will not be objectionable, but may be

suggestive of Mushrooms. Make a long bed, having a base about four feet

wide, and sides sloping to a ridge like the roof of a house, with this

difference--the narrow part of the ridge is useless, and the top should,

therefore, be rounded off when about a foot across. Some growers prefer

a circular bed of six or eight feet diameter at the bottom and tapering

towards a point, after the shape of a military tent; but here again the

point will be worthless, and the bed may terminate abruptly. Either the

long bed or the round heap answers admirably. Tread the manure down

compactly, and for the sake of appearances endeavour to finish it off in

a workmanlike manner. During the first few days there will be a

considerable rise in the temperature, which will gradually subside, and

when the plunging thermometer shows that it has settled down to a

comfortable condition of about 80 deg. the bed must be spawned. Experienced

men can determine by the sense of touch when the temperature is right,

but the inexperienced should rely entirely on the thermometer. The

question will arise as to the period of the year when operations should

be commenced. Well, the experts who grow Mushrooms in the open ground

for market gather crops almost the year round; but a beginner will do

wisely to start under the most favourable natural conditions, and these

will be found about midsummer, because the bed will commence bearing

before winter creates difficulty as to temperature.



Spawning and After-management.--Break each cake of spawn into eight or

ten pieces, and force every piece gently a little way into the manure at

regular intervals of six to nine inches all over the bed, closing the

manure over and round each piece of spawn. The practice of inserting

spawn by means of the dibber is to be strongly condemned, for it leaves

smooth, hollow spaces which arrest the mycelium; and very small pieces

of spawn should be avoided because they generally result in small

Mushrooms. Immediately the spawning is completed, a thick and even

covering of clean straw or litter of some kind should be laid over the

bed, secured from wind by canvas, mats, hurdles, or in some other way.

From good spawn the films of mycelium will begin to extend within a

week. In the contrary case an examination of the pieces will show that

they have become darker than when put into the bed, which means that

they have perished. Then the question will arise as to whether the bed

or the spawn is at fault, and the former must either be spawned again or

broken up. Supposing the spawn to show signs of vitality, the time has

come for covering the bed with a layer of rather moist soil, pressed

lightly but firmly on to the manure with the spade or fork, so that the

earth will not slip down. At once restore the covering of litter, &c.,

and wait patiently for about seven or eight weeks for the crop.

Meanwhile the plunging thermometer ought to be consulted daily. Until

the Mushrooms appear the instrument should not indicate less than 60 deg.,

and while in bearing not less than 55 deg.. Experience proves that the most

violent alternations of temperature may be combated by regulating the

thickness of the covering. Although it may possibly be necessary to

resort to eighteen inches of litter or more during hard frost or the

prevalence of a cutting east wind, a much thinner covering will suffice

in milder weather.



Should the temperature of the bed, through inexperience in the

management of it, sink below the point at which Mushrooms can grow, we

advise the exercise of a little patience. We have known several

instances of beds made in autumn producing no crop at the expected time,

but which have borne fairly in the following spring or summer. But in

the event of the first effort failing outright there is no great loss.

The manure, which is the most costly item, will still be available for

the garden, and an observant man will pretty well understand in what

respect he must amend his course of procedure.



Water.--Moisture is of great consequence, for a dry Mushroom bed will

soon be barren also; but whenever water is given it must be applied

tepid and from a fine rose. To slop cold water over a Mushroom bed is

about as reasonable a procedure as putting ice into hot soup. Water is

best administered in the afternoon of a genial day, and should be

sufficient to saturate the bed. Immediately it is done the covering of

litter and canvas must be promptly restored to prevent the temperature

from being seriously lowered by rapid evaporation. A couple of stakes

driven from the crown to the bottom of the bed at the time of making up

the heap are useful as indicators of moisture, and may occasionally be

drawn out and examined.



In gathering the crop, only a small portion of the bed should be

uncovered at a time. This should be the rule at all seasons, and the

strict observance of it will prevent a mistake in cold weather, for

then, if the bed is carelessly uncovered and much chilled, the crop will

come to an end, when perhaps it would, if properly handled, be at high

tide and full of profit. Another rule should be enforced, to this

effect, that every Mushroom must be taken out complete, and if the root

does not come with the stem, it must be dug out with a knife. Any

trifling with this rule will prove a costly mistake. The stem of a

Mushroom, if left in the ground, will produce nothing at all. But it may

attract flies, and it certainly will interfere with the movements of the

mycelium at that particular spot, and actually prevent the production of

any more Mushrooms. The old practitioners were accustomed to leave the

stem in the ground, and they were content with about one-third of the

crop now produced on beds that are, perhaps, not better made than were

theirs. But they had a notion about the powers of the root which

increased knowledge of the subject has shown to be fallacious.



In Pastures.--As already indicated, Mushrooms are often to be found in

abundance in well-stocked pastures during the late summer months, and

where favourable conditions exist it is an excellent plan to insert

pieces of spawn two inches deep in the turf in June and July.



Turf Pits.--The facility with which Mushrooms may be raised under

simple methods is illustrated by the practice of growing them inside the

turf walls of cool pits. In the country turf walls are common, and they

offer the advantage of growing Mushrooms in addition to the purpose they

usually serve. After determining the size of the pit, and accurately

marking it on the ground, cut the turf into narrow strips, say three or

four inches wide, and of exactly eighteen inches length. The strips

should be closely laid, grass side downwards, across the width of the

walls--not longitudinally--except at the corners, where the layers

should cross each other. The front and back walls to be rather above the

required height, because the turf always scales down a little, and the

two ends must gradually rise from front to back. The top layer may be

right side up, when it will keep green for a long time. As the work

proceeds insert lumps of spawn at intervals in every layer, about three

or four inches from the inside edge. A wooden frame will be requisite on

the top to carry the glass lights. This structure makes a useful cool

pit and a Mushroom bed from which supplies may sometimes be gathered for

years. In the summer it will be necessary to keep the walls moist by

means of the syringe, or they will cease bearing.



Indoor Beds.--Mushrooms may be grown almost anywhere, evenly in a

cellar, or on the wall of a warm stable, provided only that the mode of

procedure is in a reasonable degree adapted to the requirements of the

fungus. Ordinary pits and frames are also serviceable, and many

gardeners obtain good crops in autumn by the simple process of inserting

a few lumps of spawn in a Cucumber or Melon bed while the plants are

still in bearing. Between spawning and cropping a period of six or eight

weeks usually elapses, so that if the plan just mentioned be adopted,

the spawn should be introduced in the height of summer, both to insure

it a warm bed and to allow time for the crop to mature before the season

runs out. Sheds and outhouses not only afford shelter and space for beds

on the floor, but the walls can be fitted with shelves on which

Mushrooms may be plentifully grown. In all cases the shelves should be

two feet apart vertically, and each shelf should have a ledge nine

inches deep. The walls of a house may be quickly and cheaply fitted with

woodwork for the purpose, but brick is so much better than wood that

whenever it is possible to employ brick it should have the preference.

As regards the ledges, they should be of stout planking in any case, and

should not be fixed, because of the necessity for clearing the shelves

and renewing the soil periodically. The details of cultivation are the

same within doors as without, but the roof gives valuable protection,

and helps to maintain the beds at a suitable temperature.



A proper Mushroom-house for production during winter should be heated

with hot water, and have an opaque roof. There is nothing so good for

the crop as a roof of thatch, but there are many objections to it, and

usually slate is employed. A double roof will pay for its extra cost by

promoting an equable temperature. A few side lights fitted with shutters

are necessary, as there should be a good light for working purposes; but

the crop does not need light, and a more steady temperature can be

maintained in a dark house than in one which has several windows. The

most convenient dimensions for a Mushroom-house are: length, twenty-five

feet; width, twelve feet; height at sides, six feet, to allow of a bed

on the floor, and a shelf four feet above it; the ridge rising

sufficiently for head room, and to shoot off water. There will be room

for a central path of four feet, and a bed of four feet on each side. An

earth or tile floor and a slate or stone shelf will, with one four-inch

flow and return pipe, complete the arrangements. The less wood and the

less concrete the better; there is nothing like porous red tiles for the

floor and stone for the shelves, with loose planks on edge to keep up

the soil, a few uprights being sufficient to hold them in their places.



Temperatures at every point are of great importance. The bed should be

near 80 deg. when the spawn is inserted. The air temperature requisite to

the rising crop is 60 deg. to 65 deg., which is the usual temperature of the

season when Mushrooms appear in pastures. While the bed is bearing a

temperature of 55 deg. will suffice, but at any point below this minimum

production will be slow and may come to a stop. When giving water, take

care that it is at a temperature rather above than below that of the

bed.