108 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 



Mushroom spawu in "bricks" can be easily obtained from the seeds- 

 men. Katural or virgin spawn, wliicli is considered by many experi- 

 enced growers as i)relerable to the artificial, can be obtained in most 

 places where horses are kept. It is found in half decomposed manure- 

 heaps, generally where horse-droppings have accumulated under cover. 

 It is easily distinguished by its white filamentous character and by its 

 musliroom odor. When dried it can be kept for years. 



Mushroom beds are easily formed on the floor of sheds by carrying 

 in the i'resh stable dang, adding to it about oue-fourth of good loam, 

 mixing both together, pressing firmly down, and letting the mass re- 

 main about two weeks untouched. By this time the temperature will 

 be on the decline, and when it falls anywhere between 50° and 00^ F., 

 break the spawn bricks into x>ieces 2 iiiches square and plant, 12 inches 

 ap irt, 3 inches below the surface. By means of any suitable instru- 

 ment beat the mass down firmly, then add 3 inches of good soil and 

 beat again. 



^Mushrooms generally take six weeks to fit them for eating purposes. 

 When ready they should be carefully cut off with a knife, not broken. 



IJobinson, author of an instructive work on mushroom culture, rec- 

 ommends that the bed should not be finally earthed until the spawn 

 is seen begiuTuug to spread its white filaments through the mass; and 

 should it fail to do this in eight or ten days after spawning, the condi- 

 tions being favorable, it is better to insert fresh spawn or to remake the 

 bed, adding fresh materials if it be found to fail from being too cold. 

 The temperature of the beds at spawning time should not exceed 80° 

 F. ; 70° IS considered the most suitable regular temperature. 



AVith regard to the depth at which spawn should be placed, Mr. Rob- 

 inson says : " It would be better not to put it at any uniform depth, but 

 so that while one piece of it may be at a depth of G inches or nearly so, 

 others may touch the surface. This would allow of the spawn vegetat- 

 ing at a depth and temperature most congenial to it." 



Mushrooms may be cultivated in warm cellars, in boxes about 4 feet 

 square by 18 inches in depth, for familv use. 



THOMAS TAYLOR, M. D., 



Microscopist. 



Hon. Norman J. Colman, 



Commissio7ier. 



