FORCING MUSHROOMS. 127 



is a current of air ; but if it be not completely dried, the 

 spawn will exhaust itself or perish, as it will not bear the 

 extremes of heat, cold, or moisture. 



Such of my readers as may have hitherto been unac- 

 quainted with the cultivation of Mushrooms, must perceive, 

 from the preceding remarks, that a Mushroom bed is simply 

 a heap of animal dung and earth, so tempered as to be ca- 

 pable of producing and preserving spawn ; but in order to 

 have fruitful spawn at all times, it should be so formed as 

 to be always at command. To this end, a quantity of fresh 

 horse droppings mixed with short litter, should be collected ; 

 add to this one third of cow dung, and a small portion of 

 good earth, to cement it together; mash the whole into a 

 thin compost, like grafting clay ; then form it in the shape 

 of bricks ; which being done, set them on edge, and frequent- 

 ly turn them until half dry ; then with a dibble make one or 

 two holes in each brick, and insert in each hole a piece of 

 spawn the size of an egg : the bricks should then be laid 

 where they can dry gradually. When dry, lay dry horse 

 dung on a level floor, six or eight inches thick ; on this, pile 

 the bricks, the spawn side uppermost. When the pile is 

 snugly formed, cover it with a small portion of fresh warm 

 horse dung, sufficient in quantity to produce a gentle glow 

 through the whole. When the spawn has spread itself 

 through every part of the bricks, the process is ended, and 

 they may be laid up in any dry place for use. Mushroom 

 spawn, made according to this receipt, will preserve its ve- 

 getating powers for many years, if well dried before it is laid 

 up ; if moist, it will grow, and soon exhaust itself. 



Mushroom beds are often formed in ridges in the open 

 air, covered with litter and mats, so as to prevent heavy 

 rains exciting a fermentation ; and sometimes in ridges of the 

 same sort under cover, as in the open sheds of hot-houses. 

 They are also made in close sheds behind hot-houses, or in 

 houses built on purpose, called Mushroom-houses. A mo- 

 derately warm, light cellar is peculiarly suited for the pur- 



