5] 8 GARDEN MANAGEMENT. 



plants of parsley planted on the same depth of soil, six inches apart, will ba 

 useful also in winter. 



1621. Mushrooms.— The mushroom is a vegetable requiring a system of 

 treatment pecuHar to itself, and so widely different from that of any other, 

 that those that do not make themselves acquainted with its nature and mode 

 of cultivation, necessarily fail. The first and most important requisite in the 

 cultivation of this plant is good spawn. Spawn of excellent quality may 

 ')e made in the following manner : — 



1622. To one barrow-load of moderately strong loam add two of horse- 

 droppings fresh from the stable, and two of cow-dung (sheep or deer-dung, 

 may be used with equal success). Thoroughly mix these in a dry state, then 

 wet and work the mixture to the consistency of mortar, and spread it over a 

 level floor. When it is set sufficiently firm, cut it into bricks about a foot 

 square ; place them on edge in an aii-y situation, but sheltered from wet ; 

 when they become tolerably dry, build them into a square heap, placing a 

 piece of spawn on each brick between every layer, and cover the whole 

 with dry litter. The heap will now require attention to prevent its ferment- 

 ing too strongly. If the thermometer rises above 90°, the litter must be 

 removed, the heap flattened and re-covered. Should fermentation not take 

 place sufficiently for the working of the spawn, more litter must be added ; too 

 much attention cannot be given at this crisis of spawn-making. If the spawn 

 does not run freely through the whole mass until it becomes of a whitish 

 appearance, it will be of inferior quality ; but if it passes this state, and, 

 upon breaking the bricks, long filaments or thi-eads are found, it will be 

 almost useless for the purpose of reproduction. The spring is the best time 

 for this process, as it is easier to raise the temperature than to depress it, and 

 a better opportunity of drying the spawn is gained, which is a matter of 

 vital importance in keeping it for any length of time ; but at the same time 

 it may be attended with success any time between March and September. 

 Spawn well made, properly dried and secm-ely stored, will retain its properties- 

 almost any length of time. 



1623. Horse-dung is one of the chief, if not the most readj^, of all manures 

 for the generation of natural spawn, and when properly managed, no manure 

 equals it for this purpose. As it is generally used, or rather abused, a suc- 

 cessful result is not so general. The dung is either fermented until it really 

 reaches the state of spit-dung, or it is procured in such condition from exhausted 

 linings, and thrown together in the shape of a bed three or four feet thick,, 

 made firm by heading or beating, left for a fortnight or so ; then spawned again», 

 left for about the same space of time, when it is earthed over to the thickness- 

 of an inch and a half, and covered with litter. If the dung is in that state- 

 of dryness and heat which is suitable for the working of the spawn, in due 

 time mushrooms in abundance on the surface of the soil, but few come to 

 perfection. By this time the bed is found rather dry, and a drenching of cold 

 water is given, — a system of treatment as inconsistent with the production of 

 mushrooms as possible. 



