Modern Mushroom Cultivation

By A. A. Richards

This comprehensive text contains a definitive guide on the cultivation of mushrooms. A fascinating and accessible treatise on the topic, this rare book constitutes a brilliant mycological handbook and contains everything one needs to know about the growing of mushrooms. Perfect for beginners and intermediate growers alike, Modern Mushroom Cultivation is a must-have for anyone with an interest in the subject. Chapters comprised herein include: Where Mushrooms can be Grown, Composts and Methods of Composting, Making the Beds, Methods of Pasteurizing the Compost, Mushrooms Spawn, Casing the Beds, Routine Management, Grading and Packing, and Diseases and Pests. This scarce book has elected for republication because of its immense educational value, and is proudly republished here with a new introduction to the topic.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Read Books Ltd.
• Release date: Apr 10, 2014
• ISBN: 9781473393271

Book preview

PREFACE

THE cultivation of mushrooms has, today, reached a very high standard. Science, during recent years, has played a most important rôle in removing most of the hazards connected with this industry.

The commercial grower was quick to take advantage of the opportunities afforded by the introduction of pure culture spawn. What was previously regarded as something of a gamble became a reasonable certainty. Since the conclusion of the late war mushroom cultivation has become a very important item of commercial horticulture. This is borne out by the fact that the industry has now its own mushroom Research Station, at Yaxley near Peterborough under the able guidance of Dr R. L. Edwards. The amateur in his less pretentious way is also taking great interest in mushroom cultivation and will no doubt be able to take advantage of some of the methods described in this book.

Research takes us rapidly from one angle to another and, apart from individual interpretations of the two-zone or tray system, the emphasis appears to be concentrated upon the production of a suitable synthetic compost and new ideas regarding casing mixtures.

The Yaxley station has gone far in discovering new methods of converting straw into a synthetic medium. Dr Bewley at the Cheshunt Research Station has proved how wide is the range of casing mixtures capable of producing a commercial crop of mushrooms.

It is now possible to state that the idea of soil being the only casing medium no longer holds, excellent crops are regularly produced where peat and chalk only are used.

In preparing this book I am indebted to many kind friends who have helped me with photographs etc. To Dr Bewley for reading the manuscript, to Dr R. L. Edwards, Dr Peet, Mr J. H. Young, Mr Rice of Goring-by-Sea, Mr Darlington, Messrs Geo. Monro, Mr Kessler of Rustington, Mr J. E. Morton, and my daughter Mary for preparing the manuscript.

My thanks are also due to Dr B. D. Moreton of Wye College and to The Mushroom Growers’ Association for allowing me to have the drawings of insect pests prepared from material which appeared in an article by Dr Moreton in the Bulletin of the Association.

Cheshunt, 1953                                               A. A. RICHARDS

INTRODUCTION

IT can be said with certainty that during the last few years no branch of horticulture has increased in popularity as rapidly as the cultivation of mushrooms. The number of commercial growers who now include this crop among other specialized lines has increased enormously. This may be partly due to the higher prices which mushrooms have realized in the markets, but the advent of pure culture spawn must surely be one of the deciding factors. Apart from the commercial man who looks upon the cultivation purely from the monetary returns it is something which every amateur can successfully accomplish in his own small way: for the positions and conditions under which mushrooms may be grown are numerous, provided certain rules are observed.

The amazing thing is the phenomenal luck which many people have with their first attempt. It is only with succeeding crops that they realize that this luck seldom persists beyond the first initiation.

The cultivation of mushrooms, both commercially and for private use, has been practised for over two centuries and most authorities agree that the first recorded evidence refers to the market gardeners in the Paris area. The French were the first people to grow mushrooms under what can be termed artificial conditions. Until the advent of pure culture spawn mushroom cultivation could only be termed a gamble. The spawn was manufactured under the most crude and primitive conditions and sold in bricks, so much depending upon the degree of penetration by the mycelium during the preparation. Apart from this, the uncertainty of disease in the manure forming the bricks was always present. The modern practice of sterilizing all spawning mediums of whatever kind was unheard of till the present century.

Preparation of the Spawn

The preparation of pure culture spawn is an intricate and highly technical business, and, although there is nothing mysterious in its manufacture, very few firms specialize in it. By its use much of the element of risk has been removed from mushroom cultivation; this, coupled with the more advanced knowledge of composting technique and casing soils, has brought successful cultivation within the reach of everyone interested in it. Intensive research is being carried out, both here and in America, to find a really suitable substitute for stable manure, and considerable advance has been made, but we have yet to find out the exact nutritional needs of the mushroom. Once that has been established the rapid decline of the horse population will not present such a problem.

The commercial cultivation of mushrooms is an expensive undertaking and a crop of at least 2 lb. per square foot is needed to make the enterprise worth while. This side of the picture need not worry the amateur as he is interested only in producing a more limited crop.

The advance made in discovering a suitable synthetic compost is approaching the stage when anyone will be able to produce at least 1 1/2 to 2 pound from each square foot of bed. It is, however, a crop where both treatment and cleanliness are most important and to neglect either will quickly bring disaster.

Strains

There are several different strains or colour in mushrooms and all these have their respective market values. For instance, the white one commands the highest price; it is certainly more attractive than the brown, which incidentally has a slightly stronger flavour. At one time there was a choice of three strains, Golden, Light Brown and Deep Brown. These are recognized as being hardier and less exacting than the white, therefore more are grown in outdoor ridge beds. The cream-coloured mushroom is not as popular as either the white or brown, but it is certainly an attractive one.

Food Value

It has often been argued that mushrooms have very little food value and must be regarded as something of an embellishment to other dishes. Modern dieticians, however, tell us the mushroom contains certain vitamins and proteins essential to the maintenance of health, which are found usually in such things as meat and eggs. Some cases of allergy to mushrooms have been reported but these are extremely rare and most people regard mushrooms as a delicacy.

Where to Grow

Mushrooms may be grown under varying conditions; specially constructed sheds; glasshouses, caves, stables, cellars, rhubarb-forcing houses, large hen batteries or straw houses may be used. Many amateurs grow them in allotment sheds, garages or even garden frames, and during the frost-free months suitable spots in meadows and lawns can also be used successfully. Therefore, anyone who is interested and prepared to follow a careful routine should be able to grow mushrooms successfully anywhere. Although this crop is usually considered quite hardy there is a maximum and minimum temperature, beyond either of which cropping will cease. For instance, a temperature beyond 70° F. for any length of time has an exhausting effect and a promising crop will soon peter out. This refers to air temperatures and not to the temperature of the beds. On the other hand, temperatures below 50° F. have a retarding effect which is soon remedied if the temperature rises.

I once saw a most promising crop grown in an unheated shed during the depths of winter where the beds were made on racks in the orthodox manner. A severe frost persisted for a few weeks, freezing every mushroom. The owner, who had an experimental outlook, decided to give the crop a chance and see what happened, in spite of the fact that the beds were frozen and to all appearances destroyed. He cleared all the damaged mushrooms and laid on a firm coating of straw, about 6 inches deep. When the frost ended the straw was removed and the beds cleaned over. A fortnight later, when the sun had gained more power, the beds started cropping again and a most satisfactory crop was finally picked.

The object of this book is primarily to help the beginner and the amateur; therefore, some description of the places where mushrooms can be grown should be of value. Descriptions of the various stages in cultivation may appear exacting sometimes but these are the ordinary routine methods carried out by the commercial grower and accepted as necessary. The beginner must decide which method is the most suited in his particular purpose and, having decided, make no deviation or compromise.

He must first realize that the mushroom, unlike a green plant, rarely offers a second chance if some serious mistake has been made. A green plant will by its appearance indicate whether the treatment is the correct one, and there is usually a margin of time to readjust matters. With the mushroom, one heavy watering by an inexperienced worker can cause irreparable damage to the beds. Extreme drying out of the casing soil when a promising young flush is just appearing is for the most part disastrous and the majority of these tiny mushrooms will be a total lośs.

As in every operation in horticulture, common sense must be the guiding factor, and extremes of any nature guarded against.

CHAPTER ONE

WHERE MUSHROOMS CAN BE GROWN

UNDOUBTEDLY the specially constructed shed or house is the best place to grow mushrooms. There do not appear to be any hard-and-fast rules of design, each grower has his own ideas although the methods of growing within the house follow certain accepted forms.

Lighting inside the sheds is one of the biggest problems to overcome, and electricity, if available, is the best means. Paraffin lamps, which are apt to give off fumes, should be guarded against, and