Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-11
PROFITS IN MUSA ROOMS
Practical Methods Must Be En-
ployed in Their Planting,
Culture and Marketing.
BY G. H. w1NKLER.

culture was justly conSldered oiie "a
the most uncertain crops In the hortl-
cultural line. This uncertainty was
due in a large measure to the spawn.
American growers were compelled 10
use imported spawn, chiefly English
s.mill track" which is a wild spawn of
nc specific variety simply introduced
into artificial beds for cultivation.
AS 1t is impossible even by the ex-
perienced eye to tell by the appearance
of the spawn whether 1t has fruited or
not we readily understand why results
from this spawn are so uncertain.
Given an even temperature the Gull
ture Of mushrooms requires less skill
than does the successful growing OF
flowers or vegetables.
The essential factors-good spawn,
manure properly fermented and an
even moisture and temperature-are
under the absolute control of the grow
er. It is therefore reasonable to ex-
pect uniform results.
The cellar is an ideal place for a
mushroom bed because there we usual
~ find a suitable temperature and
moisture condition at all seasons.
A vacant stall in the barn and the
space under greenhouse benches are
other places that are usually available
and are well adapted for this purpose.
Beds may be made directly on the
door whether dirt, cement brick or
wood or on shelves or tables.
Fall winter and spring are the best
seasons for mushroom culture.
Outdoor culture is practicable only
lf1uring that part of the year when the
Temperature is favorable.
Fresh stable manure, particularly
fhat from well-fed horses or mules, is
the best material for mushroom beds.
unless the manure is left in the stable
and tramped on freely by the animals
it is unfit for mushroom culture when
more than two weeks old and when it
has been exposed to rains.
That which remains in the stable and
is tramped down by the animal is
preserved in excellent condition for
months.
If the manure contains oats or wheat
straw that was used for bedding the
animal it is all the better for our pur-
pose.
The manure is piled in racks so that
II will ferment. Usually it is neces-
sary to add water to obtain a condi-
ton favorable for the development of
fermenting organisms.
Fermentation is accompanied by a
rise Of temperature in the compost pile
and, to prevent the manure from be-
coming too hot, it is necessary to fork
the rick over into new pile every five
or six days.
During the summer months, and in
warm countries-e. g. California;
little soil should be mixed with the
manure to prevent too rapid fermenta-
ton.
If the manure becomes dry add more
water. A good moisture test is to
squeeze handful of the compost very
hard. If a little water oozes out be-
tween the fingers it is just right, but
If water drips freely from between the
fingers the compost is too wet. The adj
dition of dry soil will remedy this.
After the third or fourth turning the
temperature will rise less rapidly and
when it stands between 100 and 120 de-
grees F. it should be made into beds.
1t is at this stage that such fertil-
izers as wood ashes and slaked lime
are applied Thirty pounds air slaked
lime or fifty pounds of unleached wooc
ashes for every wagon load of manure
thoroughly mixed with the compost
will greatly increase the yield Of bed
Unless soil was mixed with the fer.
nenting manure it is we'll to mix one.
NTH OIL Tile 1IldbS Ol sou WIN the COM
post before it is made into beds
Beds are usually fiat and from ter
to twelve inches deep. The compos
should be packed very firm. Some.
times the temperature rises after tn,
beds are made up hence it Is advisabl,
to wait three or four days before plant
ing. When the temperature recedes t,
.75 or 80 degrees f. the bed should b.
planted.
Uge fresh spawn. Place your orde
for this when you begin preparing tn
compost so it will be on hand by plant
ing time.
Break the bricks into about a doze1
pieces and insert these pieces one AM
a half inches deep at intervals Of eigh
or ten inches each way.
There should be sufficient ventilation
to gradually dry the surface of the BET
thus making it necessary to spray tn
surface of the bed lightly every wee
or ten days
IL the bed dries out rapidly cove
with few inches of clean straw. b
ten days after planting the spawn wi
show signs of growth out from tn
pieces OF bricks.
Examine several hills every week t
note its progress and when it ha
SpTSdu tEFCuSiOuL the DeQ CASUALLY b
the fourth weekly cover the entire be
with soil to a depth of one inch. Tht
soil casing gives clean picking SUI,
face and protects the spawn.
Any good garden dirt. free from cloc
and pebbles, is suitable for this pu,
pose.
Mushrooms will begin to appear BIZ
tween the sixth and eighth weeks aft,
planting AND with proper care in picl
ing will continue three months. Mo,
water is required by the fruiting be
and it Is well to spray the bed light
every day just after picking.
The proper stage for picking IL
mushroom is Just before the marg
of the cap breaks loose from the ster
Grasp the cap with thumb and finge
and twist it just a little to break Il
connections between spawn and stem
II can then be lifted without injurir
the plants nearby.
Where mushrooms are grown for Il
market the crop should be gather,
daily After pickinr the p1usbroop