186 THE VEGETABLE CULTIVATOR. 



sequently, where large quantities are required, either 

 for sale or otherwise, the making of spawn may be 

 successfully practised. For this purpose adopt the 

 following process, which has been communicated 

 and approved of by the Horticultural Society, and 

 practised by the author with success. 



In June and July take any quantity of fresh 

 horse droppings (the more dry and high fed the 

 better), mixed with short litter, one third of cow's 

 dung, and a good portion of mould of a loamy 

 nature ; cement them well together, and mash the 

 whole into a thin compost, and spread it on the 

 floor of an open shed, to remain till it becomes firm 

 enough to be formed into flat square bricks ; which 

 done, set them on an edge, and frequently turn them 

 till half dry ; then with a dibble make two or three 

 holes in each brick, and insert in each hole a piece 

 of good old spawn, about the size of a common 

 walnut. The bricks should then be left till they 

 are dry. This being completed, level the surface of 

 a piece of ground, under cover, three feet wide, and 

 of sufficient length to receive the bricks, on which 

 lay a bottom of dry horse-dung, six inches thick ; 

 then form a pile, by placing the bricks in rows one 

 upon another, with the spawn side uppermost, till 

 the pile is three feet high ; next cover it with a 

 small portion of warm horse-dung, sufficient in 

 quantity to diffuse a gentle glow of heat through 

 the whole. When the spawn has spread itself 

 through every part of the bricks, the process is 

 ended, and the bricks may then be laid up in a dry 

 place for use. 



Mushroom spawn, made according to this di* 



