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. 



