'j72 West London Gardeners'' Associatio7i. 



and allows it to remain a fortnight, when the spawn will have spread through 

 the dung. About 1 in. thick of fresh dung to be placed over the whole, then 

 covered with loam, the top spit of an old sheep pasture repeatedly turned 

 over before using, if a little sandy the better ; or the loam from an old melon 

 frame, about 2 in. deep with the screenings, and 1 in. more of the finer sort, 

 well rammed, but not made smooth or plastered, as water, when it is 

 necessary to be given, would pass off too rapidly. The temperature of the 

 house to be kept the first week at 55^ the following week at 58°, to increase 

 it the third week to 60'^, which is sufficiently high, unless mushrooms would 

 be wanted in a short time, when the temperature may be raised to 70°, with a 

 covering of hay 6 in. deep. He always used water the same temperature as 

 the house, giving it often but a little at each time, when the beds by their 

 dryness were observed to want it. When growing mushrooms in beds, he 

 would prepare his dung in the same manner as recommended for the house, 

 with the addition of a little fresh dung when making up the bed, with wood 

 faggots at the bottom about 2 ft. high ; the bed to run east and west with an 

 angle of 45°, as the north will produce in succession after the south aspect; the 

 dung, 18 in. deep, to be mixed up with about one fourth light turfy loam ; when 

 spawned, to be covered with straw, which may be removed on fine dry days. 



Mr. Stanley considered mushrooms could best be grown in a humid atmo- 

 sphere. He did not approve of such a high temperature as Mr. Shearer re- 

 commended. He saw a bed made in the usual way with well-prepared dung 

 and horse-droppings, which was spawned on the 20th of November, and did 

 •not produce until the first week in April, from which a large supply was regu- 

 larly gathered for a long time afterwards. 



Mr. Fish considered the subject was well worthy the attention of gardeners, 

 as he is aware that in many places it was found difficult to produce them. He 

 has grown mushrooms abundantly by preparing in May equal quantities of 

 horse-droppings and cow-dung ; when well dried, to be spawned and then 

 covered with littery manure ; air and light to be admitted freely, by which 

 they grow strong, and acquire a rich flavour. He saw spawn produced in 

 melon frames in the way recommended by Mr. Shearer, which kept good for 

 many years. 



Mr. Stanley would recommend fresh spawn for general use. 



Mr. Fish was certain that mushroom spawn would keep good for three or 

 four years, but its vegetative powers are easily destroyed either by too much 

 heat, or by too much wet. 



Mr. Grover used spawn which was made four years, and produced an 

 abundant crop. For making spawn he preferred sandy loam, cow-dung, horse- 

 droppings, and a little road-scrapings. When sufficiently worked together, it is 

 then formed into bricks; while soft, a few holes to be made in it to receive the 

 spawn ; when the bed is spawned, to be covered over 2 in. thick with any stiff 

 loamy soil. 



Mr. Thomas Keane used horse-droppings, loam, and cut hay, which, when 

 well incorporated, were formed into bricks 10 in. long, 6 in. broad, and Sin. 

 deep, spawned in the usual manner, left twentj'-four days before using, in 

 a temperature from 60° to 65°. The same spawn was piled up in a dry loft, 

 was used for four years, and the last bricks were as productive as the first. 

 He has grown fine mushrooms on shelves, as recommened by Mr. Shearer, 

 with the -temperature of the house from 55° to 60°. 



Mr. Wragg agreed with Mr. Fish, that mushroom spawn can be kept good 

 for many years. He always made, at one time, a supply to serve him for 

 four or five years. As variations of temperature would more or less affect 

 it, he stored it in a back shed, with power to admit or exclude air according 

 to the changes of the seasons. 



Mr. Fish always kept the temperature of his houses at 60°, made excellent 

 spawn, thoroughly impregnated in fourteen days, and has grown fine crojis on 

 dung beds in a vinery. 



Mr. Grover considered open windows were necessary to give air every three 



