CULTIVATION OF MUSHROOMS. 



247 



serted here and then bent backwards partly so as to lift open the 

 sod in the letter T. In this opening the block of spawn is inserted, 

 then closed by pressure with the foot. The spawn is planted in this 

 way at distances of 6 to 8 feet. It runs through the summer, and 

 then in the auturrin a good crop often appears. 



CURING THE MANURE. 



Selection of manure. Horse manure is the material which is most 

 generally used, though sometimes a small percentage of other 

 manures, as sheep manure, is added. In the selection of the manure 



Figure 230.- 



-View in mushroom house (L. S. Bigony). 

 fourth bed, middle tier. Copyright. 



View on top of 



it is desirable to obtain that which is as fresh as possible, which has 

 not passed through the stage of fermentation, and which contains 

 some straw, usually as litter, but not too large a percentage of straw. 

 Where there is a very large percentage of straw the manure is 

 usually shaken out with a fork, and the coarser portion removed. 

 If there is not too much of this coarse material the latter is often 

 cured in a separate pile and used for the bottom of the beds, the 

 fmer portions of the manure, vhich have been separated, are used 

 for the finishing and for the bulk of the bed. 



Where manure is obtained on a large scale for the cultivation in 

 houses or in caves, it is usually obtained by the carload from liveries 

 in large cities. It is possible to contract for manure of certain livery 



