THE COMMON MUSHROOM. 27 



sent to market daily. In this country cave culture 

 seems to be almost, if not quite, unknown. Bricks of 

 mushroom spawn may be purchased of almost any 

 seedsman, and if manure can be obtained, domestic 

 cultivation might be much more common than 

 it is. We have heard of a crop being grown in a 

 hatbox, and we have seen them flourishing under 

 the shelves in a greenhouse. Of course, some per- 

 sons are far more successful than others, as is the 

 case with flowering plants. Experience teaches 

 wisdom. 



The following method of cultivation has been re- 

 commended, and is often quoted : — " Collect a suffi- 

 cient quantity of fresh horse-droppings, as free from 

 straw as possible, lay it in an open shed in a heap, or 

 ridge ; here it will heat violently, and in consequence 

 should be now and then turned for sweetening. 

 After this has subsided to moderation it will be in 

 a fit state for forming into a bed. In the process of 

 making the bed, the dung should be put on in small 

 quantities, and beat firmly and equally together, until 

 it is the required size. In this state let it remain 

 until the highest degree of heat to which it is capable 

 of coming is ascertained, which may be readily done 

 by inserting a heat-stick, and pressing it with the 

 hand ; if not found violent, the spawn may be broken 

 up into pieces of two or three inches square, and put 

 into holes about three inches in depth, by six inches 

 asunder, over its surface ; after this, throw a very 



