SEPT.] * THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 475 



the parts may be equally fermented, and the violent heat passed 

 away. In this state it should remain till about the first week of 

 October, when the bed is to be made as directed in that month ; 

 or the preparation may commence in August, and the beds be 

 made any time this month at pleasure. 



The reason for the previous preparation of the dung, is to pre- 

 vent a too violent fermentation when the bed is made, which 

 would totally destroy the spawn ; and moreover, by this manage- 

 ment it will preserve a slow temperate warmth much longer than 

 if put tegether when quite fresh. 



You must likewise provide a sufficiency of good mushroom 

 spawn; this is frequently to be found in rich pasture fields, old 

 mushroom beds, old cucumber beds, dung-hills or dungy composts, 

 but that of the true kind from the pastures, or old mushroom beds 

 is to be preferred ; it may also be found where horses are employed 

 under sheds in turning mills, riding houses, livery-stable yards, &c. 



The spawn is a white fibrous substance, running and spreading 

 itself in the rich pasture-grounds and in lumps of dryish rotten 

 dung, and if of the true sort, has the exact smell of the cultivated 

 kind. 



Take up the earth or dung in which you find it, in lumps, 

 observing to preserve these entire, and lay them in a dry shady 

 place till wanted ; you may cover them with straw or garden mats, 

 for much wet would totally destroy the spawn. But if the pieces 

 are wet or very damp when collected, they must be spread to dry- 

 gradually ; the spawn is seldom, if ever, destroyed by drought, es- 

 pecially, when mixed with earth or dung. For the method of 

 making and spawning the bed, &c. see the Kitchen-Garden for 

 October. 



Gather Seeds. 



Gather all kinds of seeds as they ripen, which may be necessary 

 in the ensuing season, and spread them to dry on mats or cloths ; 

 when sufficiently hardened beat them out, clean, and put them up 

 carefully till wanted for sowing. 



Perennial Herds. 



Towards the latter end of this month, you may safely transplant, 

 *11 kinds of hardy perennial pot, aromatic, and medicinal herbs, 

 which will take fresh root and be well established before winter; but 

 this should be done, if possible, in moist weather. 



Southern States. 



In the southern states, particularly, where the winters are mild, 

 you may sow at this time, carrots, and onions for early spring use, 

 as well as all the other articles recommended to be sown in this 

 month ; and also plant out late crops of borecole, broccoli, celery, 

 cabbages for winter, coleworts, endive, Sec. &c. 



