tion on the part of the mycelium with other organisms. In many- 

 articles on mushroom growing, it has been suggested that beds may 

 be spawned when the temperature has fallen to about 90 deg. F. 

 From experience and observation, the writer can only conclude that 

 such a temperature is frequently fatal, and it is believed that the 

 temperature of the beds should be permitted to fall to 70 deg. F. 

 before being spawned. In fact, the most successful results have been 

 obtained at temperatures from 65 deg. to 70 deg. F. It was former- 

 ly believed that if the spawn were inserted at 90 deg. F. this higher 

 temperature incited the rather dormant mycelium to rapid and vig- 

 orous growth. It is clear, however, that the rapid development 

 of the new mycelium from the pieces of spawn brick inserted is 

 not so important a factor as suitable conditions for continued growth. 

 If the temperature falls rapidly from 90 deg. F. after spawning, 

 however, no injury may result. Nevertheless, it is to be considered 

 an unfortunate condition. 



The bricks of spawn may be broken into from ten to twelve 

 pieces, from 1 1-2 to 2 inches square. These pieces may be inserted 

 about 1 inch beneath the surface of the manure. In flat beds they 

 may be placed from 10 to 12 inches apart throughout the bed, and in 

 ridge beds should be inserted on each side alternately, one near the 

 top and the next near the bottom. It is well to insert the pieces 

 vertically, as the mycelium does not then seem so readily to suffer 

 damping off. After spawning, the beds should again be firmed, 

 and they are then ready to be cased or loamed whenever this process 

 may seem most desirable. At the time 6i spawning the beds 

 should be in the best condition possible for the growth of the my- 

 celium. Delay in growth at this time is one of the surest indica- 

 tions of a light yield. If the bed contains the proper amount of 

 moisture, and if the walls and floors of the house or cellar are sprinkled 

 occasionally, so as to maintain a moist condition of the atmosphere, 

 it is possible to avoid wholly the use of water upon the beds immediat- 

 ely after spawning. In no case should a bed recently spawned be 

 heavily watered. The surface may be sprinkled, if there is a ten- 

 dency toward drying out. The same test for moisture content as 

 has been outlined previously in these pages in the chapter on preparing 

 the manure should be followed. The beds should become gradually 

 somewhat drier, however, during the growth of the spawn. 



The absolute water content for the bed at the time of spawning 

 should be about 40 per cent, although this will vary considerably, 

 according to the conditions, and especially with relation to the quan- 

 tity of straw in the manure. / 



If the spawn grows rapidly at first and spreads throughout the 

 bed, it will not be'injured by a slight drying out, or by a temperature 

 even as low as 32 deg. F. On the other hand, a continuous high 



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