The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1876-01-22
Mushroom Culture.

In the spring OF 1874,w gave an
article on Mushroom culture
which attracted a good deal of
attention and brought us a great
many inquiries. So great was the
demand for information that ex-
ira copies Of the number contain
ing the article have been forward
ed to iDquiriug friends until our
stock is almos5 exhausted. Some
new questions have been also
raised by correspondents, so we
thought it would be we'll to give
all the information desired, in
this number.
Our readers are, of courss, we'll
acQuaited with the Mushroom of
the meadOws,so abundant in many
places in the damp cool weather
and dewy nights of autumn.
Some pass them without notice
or think of them anly as Toad
stools, while others seem to rush
for e very tiny specimen as eager
as though they YER gathering
diamonds. We are desired to
show how Mushrooms can be
cultivated SO as to secure a sup
ply during spring aud summer
season, and before they can be.
obtained from fields.
The Mushroom is Il very accom-
modating plant, and will grow
in the cellar, in sheds, stabble,
tubs. old hats, on shelves, in the
garden, in dark or light. What
a chance this affords the boys to
have both fun and fruit, too, by
making a bed in some curious old
thing, and keeping the matter a
secret until it is all white with
splendid Mushrooms. We have
seen them growing in old tubs.
in Out-of-the way corners of
shed, in abandoned greenhouses,
OH shelves in stables. somewhat
as represented i'll the engravings,
and in every case giving appar
emily a good and healthtul crop.
All that needed for success is
a temperature from 80 to 60 de-
grees, some fresh horse manure
and a little SPAR. Having procur
ed what fresh horse manure is
needed, mix it well with about
one-third Of its bulk of good
loan. and you are prepared to
make your beds in whateqer
place You prefer If you determine
to form beds make them narrow,
certainly not more than five feet
down as evenly as possible. If I'm
der cover, the beds may be flat
on the top, but if the open air
should be rounded to shed the
rain, somewhat as shown in the
on the next page. After the beds
have been made a week there will
be considerable heat produced by
the fermentation of the manrrp.
Bricks of spawn should have been
secured previously. and they IAN
be had of most seedsmen, post
age Oh expresSage free, ut about
thirty cents a pound. Break them
into pieces about as large as wal.
nuts aud insert in the beds, just
below the surface, about ten in.
ches apart. One pound Of spawn
is sufficient for a space two by
six feet. If there seems to be
much heat, inch ormore OF good
earth. pressing it down with the
back of a spade. 1t is not likely
in a large bed water will be need
ed at all !; but if the material
should appear very dry, water
lightly with warm water. In
small beds or pals or any thing
OF the kind, it is probable water
will be needed once or twice.
Mushrooms will begin to appear
in about six weeks after planting
the spawn, and can be gathered
for three or four weeks. In gath
ering, take up the Mushroom en-
tire, leaving no stem in the bed,
and placing a little earth in the
hole made by its removal. When
the crop is gathered cover the
bed with a little more earth, beat
it down gently, and give a pretty
good moistenimg with tepid wa.
ter, and in about a month more
another crop will be produced,-
Floral Guide. !