570 MUSHROOMS, QR ESCULENT FUNGI. 



a dry place for use. Mushroom-spawn thus made will pre- 

 serve its vegetative power many years, if well dried before 

 it is laid up ; but, if moist, it will grow, and exhaust itself." 

 Trans. 



The next step to be taken is the formation of the bed, in 

 the preparation of which no dung answers so well as that 

 of the horse, when taken fresh from the stable : the more 

 droppings in it the better. The process recommended by 

 Rogers is as follows : 



" About July or August is the general season for making 

 mushroom-beds, though this may be done all the year round. 

 A quantity of the dung mentioned should be collected and 

 thrown together in a heap, to ferment and acquire heat ; 

 and, as this heat generally proves too violent at first, it should, 

 previously to making the bed, be reduced to a proper tem- 

 perature by frequently turning it in the course of the fortnight 

 or three weeks ; which time it will most likely require for all 

 the parts to get into an even state of fermentation. During 

 the above time, should it be showery weather, the bed will 

 require some sort of temporary protection, by covering it with 

 litter or such like, as too much wet would soon deaden its 

 fermenting quality. The like caution should be attended to 

 in making the bed, and after finishing it. As soon as it is 

 observed that the fiery heat and rank steam of the dung have 

 passed off, a dry and sheltered spot of ground should be chosen 

 on which to make the bed. This should be marked out five 

 feet broad ; and the length, running north and south, should 

 be according to the quantity of mushrooms likely to be re- 

 quired. If for a moderate family, a bed twelve or fourteen 

 feet long will be found, if it takes well, to produce a good 

 supply of mushrooms for some months, provided proper at- 

 tention be paid to the covering. 



" On the space marked for making the bed, a trench should 

 be thrown out about six inches deep. The mould may be 



