MUSHROOM SPAWN. 189 
the soil beaten firmly on them, and as soon as the 
heat rises, put in the spawn. No light is needed in 
the house for some time, and but little air at any 
time. A slow fire may be put on in the winter as soon 
as the spawn is in the beds, so as to keep a nice 
warmth in the house, but too much heat is not good. 
A house like the one above is capable of growing 
any quantity of Mushrooms all the year round, and 
would well repay market men. It may be built at a 
lean-to pitch at the back of a house, but where the 
woodlouse abounds it is better to build it independent 
of any other building, and on this principle. The 
walls, doors, and ceiling should be quite proof against 
these pests, and the ventilators at the top made secure 
by nailing perforated zinc over them. 
Mushroom spawn may be bought of good quality at 
5s. per bushel, but it can be made for less and by any- 
one; although it is scarcely worth while for anyone 
except those who grow for the market to take the 
trouble to make it. These men know how to make it 
generally, but it may be had in abundance from mill 
tracks ; that is, where corn-fed horses are used to work 
malt mills and other machinery. In these places it 
generates, and is of first-rate quality. To have Mush- 
rooms all through the winter months, make beds in the 
house in October and November, and again out of 
doors in March for the summer. 
