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70 to 75 degrees, the beds are ready for planting with the pre- 
pared spawn. This process is known as “ spawning.” 
The spawn (described later in this article) commonly comes in 
dried cakes, called bricks. Break these bricks into pieces from one 
and one-half to two inches square, and place on edge in the com- 
post, spacing them about twelve inches apart each way, and cover- 
ing them to a depth of two inches. 
Give the beds a light sprinkling, sufficient to maintain a proper 
degree of moisture, which experts set at 40 per cent., but which 
may for all practical purposes be determined bv the ‘* squeezing ” 
test. 
CARE WHILE GROWING 
In about ten days the spawn should be running, which will be 
indicated by fine white threads spreading outward from each 
piece. In case any plantings have failed to start, remove them 
and insert fresh ones. The beds should then be covered evenly, 
about one-inch thick, with fine, moist garden loam, pressed 
down firmly. This should be watered lightly from time to time 
as needed to maintain a damp surface. Use Inkewarm water 
and apply with a fine spray, preferably from a watering pot. 
If the beds are conveniently located, moisture may also be con- 
trolled by spraying the walls and floors. Burlaps hung along 
the fronts of the beds may likewise he sprayed, and this will 
assist in keeping both air and beds moist. 
BEARING SEASON 
Bearing should begin within from six to eight weeks from the 
time of spawning and continue for two or three months. Esti- 
mates of yields vary from one-half pound to two pounds per 
square foot of area and market values run from twenty to sixty 
cents a pound wholesale and twice that at retail. 
The picking should be done as fast as the mushrooms attain 
the proper size, usually every other day ; although daily gather- 
ings are sometimes necessary. They are the best size for picking 
when the “veil” or tissue on the under side of the cap has _be- 
gun to break. 
The method of picking recommended by experts is to take hold 
of the cap and remove by twisting, which brings the stem away 
