60 MUSHROOM GROWING AND SPAWN MAKING. 



newer form of French brick spawn. The latter is made in the form 

 of very small, thin In'icks, which are luiquestionably more aifected 

 by weather conditions than the larger English bricks. 



These results have seemed to demand that special attention should 

 be given to methods of spawn making in the United States in order 

 that growers might be able to secure this product as fresh as pos- 

 sible. Moreover, it was desirable, as previously indicated, to at- 

 tempt work leading to the selection and improvement of varieties. 

 The success of the work in spawn making has been almost all that 

 could have been anticipated. By the pure-culture methods described, 

 several firms are now making grades of brick spawn which have 

 yielded remarkably well. This fact is now thoroughly recognized 

 by a large number of the best growers throughout the country. 

 Probably as many as 50,000 bricks Avere sold during 1904, and it is 

 perhaps to be expected that several hundred thousand will be sold 

 during the present year. 



It is to be regretted that it has not yet been possible to abandon 

 the pure-culture process by means of which the virgin spawn is made 

 while retaining the advantages of selection. Nevertheless, it should 

 be remembered that the very difficulties of this process insure its use 

 only by those who are able to give it their best attention and who Avill 

 doubtless develop it to the fullest commercial extent. It has not been 

 supposed by the writer that the work thus far accomplished will en- 

 able all mushroom growers to manufacture their own spaAvn with 

 comparative ease. In other phases of horticultural work it is not so 

 much to individual growers as to progressive seedsmen that we look 

 for the best seed of improved varieties. The same thing apparently 

 must be anticipated in the development of the mushroom industry. 

 The growing of selected spawn may, in general, become a specialized 

 process. 



Nevertheless, it is believed that in time a method of spawn pro- 

 duction from spores without pure-culture precautions Avill be devel- 

 oped. The necessity of developing immediately, or placing on a 

 practical basis, the pure-cidture process has temporarily directed the 

 experimental work along other lines. 



O 



