344 Journal of the Department or Agriculture. — Oct., 1922. 



both made up of a medium fonsisliii<>' chiefly of manure with myce- 

 lium running- through it. Of tliese two, brick spawn is usually 

 the more satisfactory, owing to the fact that flake spawn, as the 

 name implies, is in a loose form, and the mycelium is consequently 

 more accessible to the deleterious effects of the atmosphere. Brick 

 spawn is put u}» in l)ricks of dry dust manure, which measure about 

 5 by 8 by II in., and weigh IJ lb. In the latter form, spawn remains 

 in good condition for several years, and there is usually no danger 

 in using spawn 2-3 years old. However, it deteriorates with age, 

 and new spaAvn is therefore better than old. 



Essential Conlitigns for Mushroom Growing. 



Mushrooms can be grown almost anywhere, out of doors or 

 indoors, in any climate and in any season, provided the essential 

 conditions are obtainable. These are: — (1) A temperature ranging 

 from 53° to 60° F. ; (2) a moist atmosphere; (3) proper ventilation; 

 (4) a suitable medium or bed ; (5) good spawn . 



Where to Groir Mushrooms. — Among the most desirable places 

 in which to grow mushrooms are barns, cellars, sheds, pits, green- 

 houses, and proper mushroom houses, though with a little care they 

 can be grown quite successfully in sheltered places out of doors. 

 Darkness is not essential, but as the temperature and moisture are 

 more apt to be equable in dark places than in open, light ones, 

 mushrooms are usually grown in the dark. 



Moisture. — Moisture is an important factor in the cultivation 

 of the mushroom, and requires intelligent control, for although the 

 atmosphere requires to be nearly saturated with moisture, water 

 should not as far as possible be applied directly to the beds. Care 

 should therefore be taken that the latter are sufficiently moist when 

 made up, and further that evaporation is reduced to a minimum. 

 However, the beds must not be allowed to dry out, and should any 

 danger of this occur lukewarm water may be applied to the beds 

 by means of a watering-can. 



Ventilation. — While proper ventilation ensuring a free inter- 

 change of pure air is likewise an essential factor in mushroom 

 growing, care should be taken that draughts are avoided, as these 

 cool the beds and cause too much evaporation. 



The Mushroom Beds. 

 Preporation of the Manure. — Mushroom beds are usually made 

 of horse manure which has been subjected to a process of curing. 

 Growers have different ways of curing, but the results aimed at in 

 each case are the same, viz. to secure thorough fermentation, to 

 prevent the temperature from rising too high during ferm:^ntation, 

 and to prevent the inaterial from drying out or burning or becoming 

 too wet. One method in practice is as follows : — Fresh horse manure 

 (obtained preferably from horses fed on hard food, such as hay and 

 grain) is put into a shed and left for a few days. It is then 

 piled into heaps about 2 ft. thick, and is well turned over every 

 second morning for about ten days. After this it is turned les"^s 

 frequently and left until suitable for bedding. This stage is reached 

 when the temperature no longer rises above 100-120° F. The manure 

 itself must have lost its " fresh manure '' smell, and must have 

 a " sweet " smell. It should not be too dry, otherwise the spawn 

 will not grow, nor should it be too wet. or the spawn will rot. 



