56 MUSHROOM GROWING AND SPAWN MAKING. 



It should be indicated that there is no one method of making brick 

 spawn. The process may and Avill be varied by each spawn maker. 

 Any skill or mechanical devices which will simplify or improve the 

 process in any particular are to be recommended. 



The materials entering into the composition of the brick are fer- 

 mented stable manure, cow manure, iind sometimes a small quantity 

 of well-selected loam. Perhaps the chief value of these different con- 

 stituents is as follows: 



In the horse manure the mycelium grows most readily. The cow 

 manure binds the materials together into compact brick. The loam, 

 which is perhaps least essential, is supposed to prevent cracking or 

 hardening of the surface, and therefore contributes to the appearance 

 of the finished brick, at the same time tending to prevent rapid fer- 

 mentation during growth. It also in some cases facilitates the uni- 

 form spread of the mycelium. If fresh manure is used, the necessity 

 of using loam is perhaps to be emphasized. 



In the experiments which have been made under the auspices of 

 the Department of Agriculture these materials have been used singly 

 and in various combinations, and it is beyond doubt that the relative 

 proportions of these should be determined by the special conditions 

 under which the spawn is made. Excellent results have been ob- 

 tained by using a mixture of from two-thirds to three-fourths stable 

 manure and the remainder cow manure. In this case the compost 

 for the brick is subjected to fermentation previous to its use. When 

 loam is employed it may be used in more or less equal proportion to 

 the cow manure; and the quantity of stable manure should about 

 equal that of the other two ingredients. If the straw present does 

 not become sufficiently disintegrated during the preparation of the 

 manure to enable one to make a smooth brick, it should be removed, 

 in part at least. 



The dry bricks ordinarily measure about 5^ by 8 J by 1] (to 1^) 

 inches. They should therefore be molded of somewhat larger size, 

 perhaps 6 by 9 by 2 inches, since there is considerable contraction 

 during drvinff. The mold consists merely of an oak frame of four 

 pieces strongly riveted together. It may also be profitably lined 

 Avith thin steel plates. In molding the brick one of two methods 

 may be followed : ( 1 ) The compost may be thoroughly wet or pud- 

 dled; then, with the mold upon a board of suitable width, the manure 

 is compressed into it, the mold removed from the brick then formed, 

 and the board pushed along for a succession of such impressions. 

 The boards supporting the bricks are then disposed in racks and the 

 l)ricks dried for a few days, or until they may be turned on edge for 

 further drying out. (2) The comjiost may be used in a condition 

 which is merely moist. It is comi)ressed into the brick with some 

 force, a mallet being often employed. The brick thus obtained is 



