MUSHROOM SP-4WN. 89 



edge in a dry, airy place, and must be frequently turned 

 and protected from rain. When half dry make a hole 

 in the broadside of each, large enough to admit of about 

 an inch square of good old spawn being inserted so deep 

 as to be a little below the surface ; close it with some 

 moist material the same as used in making the bricks. 

 When the bricks are nearly dry make, on a dry bottom, 

 ii layer nine inches thick of horse dung prepared as for 

 a hotbed, and on this pile the bricks rather openly. 

 Cover with litter so that the steam and heat of the layer 

 of dung may circulate among the bricks. The temper- 

 ature, however, should not rise above 60° ; therefore, 

 if it is likely to do so, the covering must be reduced 

 accordingly. The spawn will soon begin to run through 

 the bricks, whicii should be frequently examined whilst 

 the process of spawning is going on, and when, on 

 breaking, the spawn appears throughout pretty abun- 

 dantly, like a white mold, the process has gone far 

 enough. If allowed to proceed the sjiawn would form 

 threads and small tubercles, which is a stage too far 

 advanced for the retention of its vegetative powers. 

 Therefore, when the spawn is observed to pervade the 

 bricks throughout like a white mold, and before it as- 

 sumes the thread-like form, it should be removed and 

 allowed to dry in order to arrest the further progress of 

 vegetation till required for use. It ought to be kept in 

 a dark and perfectly dry place." I would add, do not 

 keep it where it is apt to become musty or moldy in 

 summer; also keep it in as cool a dry place as possible 

 in summer, and always above 35° in winter. 



These other recipes are also given : 



"1. Horse droppings one part, cow dung one-fourth, 

 loam one twentieth. 



"2. Fresh horse droppings mixed with short litter 

 one part, cow dung one-third, and a small portion of 

 loam. 



