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dimensions : of course, when the last end of the 

 bed is covered, proceed with the first, when in a 

 proper state, a second time, covering it with 

 mould as it advances. 



Spawning the beds. — The beds being brought 

 to a suitable state of heat for the reception of the 

 spawn, proceed to planting it, having previously 

 seen that it is somewhat dry. The spawn, and 

 lumps or pieces of dung in which it is con- 

 tained, are to be planted together, after break- 

 ing and dividing the large cakes, or lumps, into 

 moderately small pieces, ih the sloping sides and 

 ends of the. beds, in some of the following me- 

 thods : as either by putting them into the dung 

 just within the surface, and earthing them over 

 an inch or two thick ; on the surface of the dung, 

 and earthed over ; or by first earthing the bed an 

 inch or two in thickness, and then spawning in the 

 earth, adding an inch depth more over the whole. 



In the first method, or that of spawning in the 

 thing ; the spawn, after being divided as above, 

 is deposited just within the dung, at small di- 

 stances, in rows the whole length of the bed ; be- 

 ginning the first row within half a foot of thebot- 

 tom, and making a small aperture for each piece, 

 by gently raising the dung with one hand, whilst 

 with the other the piece of spawn is inserted ; 

 turning the dung down upon it close afterwards : 

 proceeding in the same manner with the rest, at 

 live or six inches distance in the rows, and the 

 rows six or eight inches apart, a little more or 

 less, according to the supply of spawn : when 

 any pieces of spawn are very small, two, three, 

 or more may be planted together in a place : thus 

 advance in spawning both sides, and each end ; 

 after which, let the small crumbs remaining at last 

 be laid evenly along upon the top ; which finishes 

 the business. Immediately smooth both sides 

 and the ends of the bed with the back of a spade 

 evenly, in order to fix and close the surface of 

 the dung upon the spawn. The bed is then ready 

 for earthing. 



In beds of considerable extent, which retain 

 the heat longer than those of smaller dimensions, 

 it may be sometimes necessary to delay the earth- 

 ing several days, or a week, or more, after being 

 spawned, if doubtful of their renewing too violent 

 a heat by immediately covering them closely. 



The most proper earth for this purpose is 

 good, rich, mellow garden earth, moderately 

 light and dry ; or where that of a light, mellow, 

 loamy nature can be procured, either alone or 

 mixed with other rich good earth, it will prove 

 of still greater advantage in promoting the pro- 

 duction of the mushrooms in size and substance. 

 The earth being well broken down with the spade, 

 and made free from clods and stones , apply the 

 casing, or coat of earth, first along the bottom of 



the bed, about an inch and a half to two inches 

 thick, continuing it the same thickness regularly 

 up the sides quite to the top of the bed, beating it 

 lightly down with the back of the spade, in laying 

 it on; proceeding regularly over each side, the 

 ends, and the top, smoothing the whole in a 

 neat manner. After this the beds are ready for 

 the straw covering. 



The second mode, or that of spawning on the 

 surface, often proves very successful in ob- 

 taining a forward and plentiful production, a* 

 the spawn, if in plenty, may be laid tolerably 

 close together, over the surface of the dung, 

 and earthed over two inches in thickness. The 

 spawning should be begun close down alone 

 the bottom, in a row longitudinally; placing 

 the pieces of spawn flat-ways upon the dung, 

 closer or wider asunder according to the sup- 

 ply. This is to be earthed over two inches 

 thick, and about six or eight inches up the 

 bed the same thickness : then proceeding with 

 another layer upwards, deposit the spawn, in 

 the same manner as before, upon the dung, 

 close along the upper edge of the first covering 

 of earth, which supports it from slipping down ; 

 earthing this row over as the preceding, and then 

 another course of spawn in the same manner 

 earthed as the other ; proceeding thus upwards 

 along both sides and ends to the top of the bed. 



The practice of spawning in the earth is effected 

 by having the bed first earthed over, and the 

 spawn afterwards inserted into it. In this case the 

 pieces of spawn are inserted into the earth close 

 down to the dung, at small distances, in a re- 

 gular manner, equally over the bed, on both 

 sides and ends from the bottom to the top, as in 

 the two foregoing methods; and when thus 

 finished, directly add a thin coat of fine earth 

 about an inch thick, over the whole, smoothing 

 it down light and evenly with a spade. 



Protecting the beds; &?c— After the beds have 

 been thus spawned, they must be covered with 

 straw orlitter to a considerable thickness, in order 

 to defend them from the external air, and the 

 effects ofTain, snow, and cold, for which the same 

 method ofcoveringis applicable, and may be appli- 

 ed, either directly, or soon after the bed is spawned 

 and finally earthed over, if the heat is then mo- 

 derate : or if it be thought that immediate cover- 

 ing may renew too fierce a heat, it may be de- 

 terred a few days when the weather is dry and 

 mild, but should always be done as soon as the 

 heat of the beds will admit. 



Clean straw, or long dry stable litter, are the 

 proper materials for this use, either of which may 

 be applied about half a foot thick at first, and 

 gradually increased to double thatthickness, so as 

 to defend the beds effectually and preserve a kindly 



