The times., 1900-12-30
THE GROWING OF MUSHROOMS.
Cultivation of the Tender Esculcnt
in Neither Regions.
(From the Philadelphia Record. }

(From the Philadelphia Record.)
AS an industry the growing OF mush-
| rooms in and about Philadelphia has as
sumed such proportions that nearly one
third OF the thousand pounds of this escu-
| lent edible necessary to the Philadelphia
palate every day is grown in the cellars
and dark places OF city homes. Within
| recent years mushrooms grown nrtificially
| have been found SO far superior in flavor
| to outdoor crops, as found in the fields,
| that the dozen er more larger growers are
now unable to supply the demands OF the
restaurants and hotels.
The metropolitan markets no longer,
except perhaps in the summer months, de-
pend on the country for their natural sup
ply OF mushrooms. In fact, for over a
year this city, with many other cities, has
obtained this gastronomic delight from
growers who raise mushrooms of fresh
ness and tenderness in bins. in hothouses,
or in cellars and other dark places during
the winter. and in truck patches in the
summer months. With profit the cultiva-
ticn of mushrooms has been pursued by
these experimenters, as in space thirty
yards long and one yard wide S240 can be
earned in a season by these growers.
did 1t ever occur to you that the nu-
tritlve value of a pound of mushrooms
exceed the nutritive value of pound OF
beefsteak?" asked George G. Watson, the
scotsman, in speaking on the widespread
cultivation OF mushrooms. Very likely
not, and yet careful chemical analysis
has proved this to be true. Analysis has
shown also that mushrooms contain from
20 to 30 per cent of protein. while bread
contains only per cent; oatmeal 10 per
cent; potatoes, per cent, and barley
meal, per cent The mushroom, like the
oyster is also rich in iodine, and DR..
Boerhaye states that he can cure phthisis
with his diet. AS a method of introduce
ing iodine into the system, the eating Of
mushrooms is certainly pleasant medi-
cal treatment
There is popular impression that the
mushroom is a plant of extraordinary
rapidlty of growth. but this is not so in
reality, for on examination II is found
to be just as methodical as potato in
its growth and development The pota
to's course is not a bad illustration OF
the process of underground growth which
the mushroom goes through. The thread
like flaments of the mushroom are some
what analogous to the roots, stems and
leaves of ordinary plants, the visible
parts-stem, head, and gills-being. in
fact, the fruetifcation, although in such
apparent preponderence to the other
parts The seeds of the mushroom are
borne on the gills under the cap. They
are so small as not to be visible to the
naked eye, and nothing is known Of their
life history after they fall from the plant
In order tC prepare a mushroom bed it
is necessary to procure good, fresh ma
nure. Shake out the longest of the litter
and put the remainder in heap, turn ii
over three or four times, allowing tive or
three days between each turning. At the
last turning 1t will be found to have lost
its rank, sour smell, and will then be in
good condition to make into a bed. II the
bed is to be made il an ordinary mushroom
house 1t is advisable to give it depth of
ten inches in front and nineteen inches at
the back. The material should be firmly
beaten or tTadden down hard and after
few days. when the temperature has fallen
to about 10 degrees, it may be spawned and
afterward covered with two inches of soil.
The growth of the mushroom plant goes
on under the SOIL and in five or six weeks
the fruit or frutification appears above
ground. The bed will remain in bearing
from two to five months.
In the narrow sense of the word profit
the raising Of the crop on considerable
scale for marketing, Il can be said that the
returns are good. considering the time. la
bor and other elements and comparing
them with requirements for the growing OF
potatoes and other crops more familiar
to the average farmer. Two pounds Of
mushrooms to the square foot is eonsid-
cred fair average crop. which would net
so cents at the average price Of the past
season in the Washington market.
Mushrooms are practically a winter crop,
coming into ripeness between October and
April. They may be grown In summer,
but they become infested with the larvae
of a small dip;erous fly, making them uu-
fit for food, unless grown in dep quarries
or dark tunnels. AS an intrinsic food
value this addition to the cuisine has be-
come more recognized as its cultivation
has increased. and the prices have COR
decreased.