MUSHliOOM SPAWN. 87 



spawn ; it is a distinct branch of the business, and car- 

 ried on by specialists who grow mushrooms for sale in 

 winter, and spawn in summer. 



The time and attention required to produce a small 

 quantity of first-class spawn are worth more tlian the 

 cost of the spawn at the seed store. In order to make 

 spawn profitably we must make it in large quantity, and 

 we need not attempt to make it unless we have good 

 materials and conditions for its proper preparation, 

 and will give it every attention possible for its best 

 development. 



Because spawn may be made in America is no reason 

 whatever why the American people will buy it. We 

 must produce, at least, as good an article as the best in 

 Europe before we can find countenance in our home 

 market. It is not the shape of the manure brick, its 

 size, fine finish, hardness, softness, or freshness, that 

 counts in this case ; it is the fullness and vitality of the 

 mass of mycelium or mushroom plant that is contained 

 within it. 



HOW TO MAKE BEICK SPAWN. 



As the making of brick spawn for sale is not yet an 

 American industry, but almost entirely confined to Eng- 

 land, I think it best to restrict myself to describing how 

 it is made in England. Mr. John P. Barter, of Lance- 

 field street, London, is one of the most successful mush- 

 room growers and spawn makers in Great Britain. He 

 writes me that he confines himself entirely to the mush- 

 room business; he makes his living by it. He grows 

 mushrooms in the Avinter months and makes spawn in 

 the summer months; he employs men for mushroom 

 bed making from August until March, then, to keep on 

 the same hands during summer, he makes spawn for sale. 

 He grows for and sells in the London market about 

 31,000 pounds of mushrooms a year, and in summer 



