New York Agricultural Experiment Station. 337 



using urine-soaked straw, as well as the manure, and wetting those 

 portions of the straw or manure which are very dry. This manure 

 is turned in the manner before described, or even less frequently 

 should the fermentation not be so rapid as to demand turning the 

 heap every day. When the manure is in proper condition for the 

 beds it is, as described for the mixture of manure and loam free from 

 rank odora and excessive heat, and is moist without being so wet 

 that wringing with the hands will leave any stain. It is then made 

 into beds in the manner described for the mixture of manure and 

 loam. Horse manure is much prefered for this purpose, though 

 manure from other animals has been used successfully for growing 

 mushrooms. If the manure is not perfectly fresh, it should, at least, 

 be fresh enough to heat up rather briskly when thrown into heaps 

 to prepare it for the beds. 



A7nerican Spawn. — Sometimes the question is asked whether or 

 not spawn can be prepared in this country. Certainly it can, but it 

 is usually cheaper to buy imported spawn than to prepare it. (See 

 American Made Mushroom Spawn, S. Edward Paschell, Gardening, 

 Yol. II, p. 264 and Vol. Ill, p. 27). 



Keejping Spawn. — Spawn may undoubtedly be kept over from 

 one season to another without perishing, but we greatly prefer to 

 use fresh spawn. However well preparations may be made for 

 growing mushrooms, good results can not be hoped for if the spawn 

 is poor. While under favorable conditions spawn may be kept alive 

 for an indefinite length of time, yet it is thought that freezing the 

 spawn in the brick or flake will injure it, as will also keeping it in 

 too moist an atmosphere. For these reasons it is best to get spawn 

 from reliable dealers with their assurance that it is fresh. 



Coating the Beds. — Opinions differ as to the best time for put- 

 ting the coating of loam over the beds after they are spawned. We 

 prefer in greenhouse work to wait about two weeks or until the 

 spawn begins to spread through the manure, before coating the 

 beds with loam. 



Covering the Beds. — In the case described above, excelsior was 

 used for this purpose because there was sutficient supply of it on 

 hand and because it is clean ; but ordinarily clean straw is used. 

 When there is no danger of water dripping on the beds the roof 

 •over the beds may be dispensed with. 



Putting Beds neur Hot Pipes. — Where heating pipes run 

 under the benches the question may arise whether or not the tem- 

 22 



