The Monticellonian., 1916-08-10

kHE ton of mushrooms in Amer
 ica has not been so general N as in most of the European l3D countries. It is in France sA and in England that the Msfl mushroom industry has EWll been best developed. France lM1 is. properly speaking, the
 home of the present mush-
 room industry Unusual in- terest has been shown in the united States in the growth of mushrooms within the past few years, and 1t is to be hoped and expected that within the next ten years the industry will de velop to the fullest limit of the mar ket demands. The latter will, of course be stimulated and developed by the increasing popular appreciation of this product. In some cities and towns there is already q good market demand for mushrooms, while in oth- Iers they may be sold only directly to special customers. This should be borne in mind by prospective growers.
 Success fin mushroom growing de- bends on intelligent study of eondi- tions and on experience. While many American growers have been success ful in the production of mushrooms much larger number have failed. In most cases failures have been due to one or more of the following causes
 CD The use of poor spawn, or of spawn which has been killed by im- proper storage.
 CD Spawning at a temperature in- juriously high.
 {3) The use of too much water either at the time of spawning or later.
 {4) Unfavorable temperature dur ing the growing period.
 Mushrooms may be grown in any place where the conditions of tempera- iture and moisture are favorable. shed, cellar, cave or vacant space in n greenhouse may be utilized to ad- vantage for this purpose. The most essential factor, perhaps, is that of temperature. The proper temperature ranges from 5 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit with the best from 55 de grees to 5S degrees Fahrenheit. It is unsafe to attempt to grow mushrooms on a commercial basis, according to our present knowledge of the subject, at a temperature much less than 50 degrees or greater than 63 degrees Fahrenheit. Any severe changes of temperature retard growth or else act linjuriously, and many changes of tenn perature would entirely destroy the profits of the mushroom crop. From this 1t Is evident that in many places mushrooms may not be grown as summer crop. With artificial heat they may be grown almost anywhere throughout the winter. Moreover. 1t is very probable that in this country lopen-air culture must be limited to few sections, and restricted, conner cially at least. to a single season.
 A second important factor is that of moisture. The place should not be very damp, or constantly dripping with water. Under such conditions successful commercial work Is not pos sible place where it is possible to maintain q fairly moist condition of the atmosphere, and having such capability for ventilation as will cause at least gradual evaporation is, by general practice and by the most e1- tensive experimentation, shown to be necessary. With too rapid ventilation and the consequent necessity of re peated applications of water to the mushroom bed no mushroom crop will attain the highest perfection.
 Cellars, caves and abandoned mines. or specially constructed houses, are used for growing mushrooms. because in such places only can the conditions