Mushrooms. 233 



suspended in dry weather or in a low temperature, but becomes 

 active when under the influence of warmth and moisture, and 

 it is during this activity that the flowers or Mushrooms are 

 produced. These, as they become matured, yield from the 

 " gills " beneath the " cap " vast numbers of spores, which in a 

 state of nature serve to perpetuate the plant. Although the 

 Mushroom may be grown from these seeds or spores this is 

 never done except for experimental or scientific purposes ; in 

 all ordinary methods of culture artificially propagated spawn 

 is used. This spawn is prepared by persons experienced in its 

 manufacture, and is sold ready for use in the form of bricks 

 or cakes, which vary slightly in size, but are usually about 

 9in. long, Gin. broad, and 2in. thick ; sixteen of these bricks are 

 reckoned as a bushel. The spawn is made by the admixture 

 of certain proportions of manure and soil, formed into cakes 

 and inoculated with the mycelium of previous spawn. Under 

 proper conditions of warmth and moisture these cakes or bricks 

 become permeated with the web-like film of the Mushroom 

 plant. Good spawn is quite as essential to success as is good 

 manure. Experienced persons can, by breaking and examining 

 a brick of spawn, readily form an opinion as to its quality, but 

 the beginner must trust to supplies obtained from some firm of 

 good repute, doing a large and steady business. Fresh spawn 

 should always have the preference, but when more has been 

 obtained than can be used at the time, the surplus can be kept 

 in good condition for a long time if stored in a place which is 

 cool, dry, and dark. 



Soil. The best soil for covering the beds is a good loam 

 containing plenty of fibre. An ideal soil for the purpose would 

 be one obtained from the top spit cut from a rich old pasture. 

 This should be stacked grass side downwards for a year, with 

 a good sprinkling of lime between each layer, and then be 

 broken down fine when wanted for use. It is not always 

 possible to obtain such choice material, in which case the best 

 at command must be used. Recently manured soils or any of 

 a peaty nature are unsuitable. Clay, too, should be avoided, 

 as it frequently produces a fungus which Destroys the Mush- 

 rooms. Any ordinary garden soil, or the surface soil from a 

 ploughed field, so long as they are free from manure, will do 



