THE MUSHROOM. 393 



the parching influences of the sun and wind. In ten 

 days the bed will be ready, for planting or spawning. 

 Pieces of spawn bricks are then inserted in the sloping 

 sides of the bed, about four or five inches asunder. A 

 layer of loam is next placed over th^ bed, and the whole 

 is covered with a thick coat of straw. When the weather 

 is temperate, mushrooms will appear in about -a month 

 after tlie bed has been made ; but at other times a much 

 longer period may elapse. The principal things to be 

 attended to are to preserve a moderate state- of mois- 

 ture and a proper degree of warmth ; and the treat- 

 ment at different seasons must vary accordingly. 



Of several other methods of raising mushrooms, Mr 

 Oldacre's, already referred to, may deserve to be parti- 

 cularized. In forniing the compost, he procures fresh 

 short dung from a, stable, or from the path of a horse 

 mill. To this is added about a fifth part of sheep-drop- 

 pings, or of the cleanings of a cow-house, or of a mix- 

 ture of both. The whole ingredients are thoroughly 

 mixed and incorporated. A stratum .of the prepared 

 mixture, about three inches thick, being deposited in 

 the boxes already described, is beat together with a flat 

 wooden mallet. Another layer is-- added, and beat as 

 before; and this is repeated till the bexls be rather more 

 than half a foot thick, and very compact. The boxes 

 are then placed in the mushroom-house, or in any out- 

 house where a slightly increased temperature can be 

 commanded. A degree of fermentation generally takes 

 place ; but if heat be not soon perceptible, another layer 

 must still be added, till suflicient action be excited. 

 When the beds are milk-warm, or between 80° and 90° 

 Fahrenheit, some holes are dibbled in the mass to re- 

 ceive the spawn. The holes arC' left open for some 

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