MUSHEOOM SPAWN. 95 



much whiter with mycelium than is the brick spawn, 

 many believe that it is more potent and well worth the 

 additional cost. In spawning the beds I use two pounds 

 of flake spawn to plant the same space for which I would 

 use five pounds of brick spawn, and this gives a capital 

 crop, with number of mushrooms a little in favor of the 

 flake spawn, but on account of the larger size of the 

 mushrooms the weight of crop is considerably in favor of 

 the brick spawn. And I find more certainty of a crop 

 in the case of the brick spawn than in the other. 



Regarding the ]'espective merits of brick and flake 

 spawn, Mr. Barter, in response to my inquiry, writes 

 me : "I have tried them both, and know brick spawn 

 to be far the best. You see, I do nothing but this 

 mushroom business for a living, so, of course, would 

 use the best kind of spawn for my crop. Generally the 

 French spawn i)roduces one-third less mushrooms than 

 does the brick spawn from the same length of bed, 

 besides, those from the brick spawn are by far the heavi- 

 est and fleshiest." 



I would here observe that Mr. Barter's remarks apply 

 more to ridge beds out of doors than beds in the cellar 

 or mushroom house. And it is odd, but true, that the 

 flake spawn does not produce as good results in outdoor 

 beds as it does in those under cover. 



