The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-10
-FOUR DAYS OF ANXIETY,
Then M. Meunier Will Know the
Result of Years of
Work.
PARTISAN MUSHROOM CAVES.
Long and Costly Experiments to Add a
New Industry to Those of Ala.
media County.
PARTISAN MUSHROOM CAVES.
OAKLAND OFFICE SAN Francisco CALL, |

OAKLAND OFFICE SAN FRANCISCO CALL
COS Broadway Dec. 9.
Out near Fruitvale an earnest French
man has been for four months watching
the development of his experiments with
Partisan mushroom caves. In 1879 NJ.
Fernand Meunler came to California and
after years of search found the peculiar
atmosphere ne sought IN the Fruitvale
hills. M. Meunier has long cherished the
idea that Partisan mushrooms could be
grown in California, and he now declares
that his caves are success and that the
first crop ever grown i'll the Western Hem
isphere will be ready for the epicures in
about three months.
1t has taken two or three years of labor
to prepare the caves. but last September
the work was commenced in earnest. The
experimentalist secured the large tract
that was once looked upon by the Contra
Costa Water Company as a place Tor a
reservoir. He has already laid out and
planted two caves Is feet broad, 10 feet
deep and 100 feet long. Around each cave
is high board fence. In about four days
the caves will be opened and M. Meunier' S
mind will be at rest. BY that time he will
know just how much of a success he has
scored.
TO get these caves in readiness has re-
quired the constant services of twelve men
who are skilled in the science of raising
mushrooms. Some idea of the prelim-
inarv work necessary may be gained from
the knowledge that forty-seven tons OF
fertilizer, or 100 cubic yards, are required
in each cave to form the ridge beds. This
material has to be sifted and packed until
it has the firmness and consistency of clay
before it is in fit condition to receive the
spawn.
81 came to California" said Mr.. Meu-
nier, because l thought that it has the
best climate in the world for growing
mushrooms. The rainy season is some
what against us, but my study of the
summers has convinced me that they
could not be better. Considering every
thing, not even Paris is adapted so well,
naturally, to the business. At present
there are never any fresh mushrooms in
California, and in the United States there
is not man who raises Partisan mush-
rooms as an industry. l brought over a
large quantity of Partisan spawn, but
find / can produce it here. | will be the
only man this side of the water who raises
succeeded in esta blishing the industry
shall add to my facilities until l have fifty
caves in operation. If everything is sue
cessful each cave should produce 100
pounds day.
"But what more than all else has in
duccd me to settle in Oakland is that there
are SO few insects here, the maggots
(diptera), white, black headed worms
about three sixteenths of an inch long
black spot caused by eelworms (auguil-
lula), manure-flies and other insects being
almost unknown, although in Paris great
quantities of salt, the chief insec.icide, are
needed
mush room-cave industry can be success
fully introduced here. and although he has
not yet any product for the market. he de.
clares he sees certain fortune ahead.