MUSHROOM.. 187 



rection, will preserve its vegetative power many 

 years, if well dried before it is laid up ; but, if moist, 

 it will grow and exhaust itself. The next subject 

 to be treated of is the preparation of the dung for 

 the bed ; and for this purpose none answers so well 

 as that of the horse, when taken fresh from the 

 stable ; the more droppings in it the better. 



About Michaelmas is the general season for 

 making mushroom beds (though this may be done 

 all the year round). A quantity of the dung men- 

 tioned should be collected, and thrown together in a 

 heap, to ferment and acquire heat ; and as this heat 

 generally proves too violent at first, it should, pre- 

 viously to making the bed, be reduced to a proper 

 temperature, by frequently turning it in the course 

 of the fortnight or three weeks ; which time it will 

 most likely require fqr all the parts to get into an 

 even state of fermentation. During the above time, 

 should it be showery weather, the heat will require 

 some sort of temporary protection, by covering it 

 with litter, or such like, as too much wet would 

 soon deaden its fermenting quality. The like cau- 

 tion should be attended to in making the bed, and 

 after finishing it. 



As soon as it is observed that the fiery heat and 

 rank steam of the dung are gone off, a dry and 

 sheltered spot of ground should be chosen on which 

 to make the bed. The place being determined on, 

 a space should be marked out five feet broad, and the 

 length (running north and south) should be accord- 

 ing to the quantity of mushrooms likely to be required. 

 If for a moderate family, a bed twelve or fourteen 

 feet long will be found (if it takes well) to produce 



