62 THE SEED-GROWER. 



heat of the dung may be diffused through them, the 

 temperature not being allowed to get above 60 degrees. 

 The spawn will soon begin to run, and when it has 

 spread itself to every part of the brick, looking like 

 white mould (ascertained by breaking one or two 

 bricks), the operation of spawning is considered finished. 

 The bricks are then taken out and allowed to become 

 perfectly dry. 



They should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place; 

 kept in this way, mushroom spawn will hold its vitality 

 five years. 



MUSTARD. 



This is a one season' s crop and easy to raise. Sow 

 seed in early spring, in drills two feet apart, thinning 

 to eight inches in the row. Rogue carefully, pulling 

 out all plants which are impure; keep the crop free 

 from weeds. Harvest, thresh and clean after the 

 manner as described for kale or borecole, to which 

 refer. 



Sold by seed-dealers generally, the greatest demand 

 being from the Southern States. The most of the seed 

 used is grown in the South, the remainder in Cali- 

 fornia. 



In a favorable season a yield of seed is from 1,500 to 

 2,000 pounds per acre; at prices to the grower, for gar- 

 den varieties, of twelve to fifteen cents per pound. 



OKRA. 



This annual does best in a light, rich soil. Sow seed 

 in early spring, in rows three to five feet apart, accord- 

 ing to variety, and when plants are six inches high, 

 thin out to fifteen inches between the plants for dwarf 

 varieties, three feet for the tall. Rogue by pulling out 



