CULTIVATION OF MUSHROOMS. 



265 



other cases, where the operator varies the method, they would lie 

 just at the surface of the bed. 



The bed is now firmed down according to the custom of the 

 operator, either tamped down with some instrument very firmly, or 

 by others, with the back of the fork or other similar instrument, the 

 bed is made firm, but not quite so hard. The object in firming it 

 down after spawning is to make the surface of the bed level, and 

 also to bring the material in the bed very closely in touch on all 

 sides with the spawn with which it is impregnated. 



Some growers follow the method of giving the spawn some little 

 preparation before putting it into the bed. This preparation varies 

 with different operators. Its object, however, is to slightly moisten 



Piece of French Spawn. 



FIGURE 236. 

 Piece of Natural Spawn. 



" Flakes" many generations 

 old, " running out." 



the dry spawn, and perhaps, also, to very slightly start the growth. 

 To accomplish this, some will cover the bricks, before breaking them, 

 with fresh horse manure, and allow this to remain several days, so 

 that the warmth and moisture generated here penetrate the 

 material and soften somewhat the brick. Some pile it in a room 

 or compartment where there is little moisture, until the bricks are 

 permeated to some extent with the moisture, so that they are a lit- 

 tle easier broken. They should not, under any circumstances, be 

 wet or soft in the sense of having absorbed an excess of water, nor 

 should they be stored for any length of time where they will be 

 damp. Still others break the bricks into the desired pieces and 

 place these directly on the top of the bed, at the place where they 



