Points to Remember
Mushrooms cannot be successfully grown at a temperature above 65 degrees. A temperature of 70 degrees for 24 hours will kill all growing mushrooms, but more will come up from the same beds when the temperature falls.
Violent fluctuations in temperature are undesirable.
Cold will retard growth, but will not otherwise injure the beds. Freezing will destroy mushrooms already above the ground, but will not hurt the spawn in the beds.
There is probably more injury done by overwatering than by any other one thing.
Keep the surface moist but never soak the beds.
Never cover the bed with earth until it has been spawned 10 days or two weeks, or the temperature of the manure may rise sufficiently to injure the spawn.
Never purchase spawn because it is cheap, neither be led into paying extravagant prices through misleading advertisements.
If any insect pest makes appearance or any diseased condition arises, write the United States Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C., for information.
Spawn should be as fresh as it is possible to obtain it, should be kept in a cool dry place till used. Improper storage will damage it in a comparatively short time.
Imported brands of spawn are apt to be old and often worthless.
THE FOUR-POUND SHIPPING BASKET