126 THE AMATEURS’ GUIDE 
fields, but having a small spotted whitish appearance. In about a 
month, the young mushrooms will begin to appear, when, if the 
clay appears dry, and the weather mild, a liberal supply of tepid 
water should be given. In fine weather, the covering should be 
taken off for a few hours, which has a tendency to keep the bed in 
a healthy state. Should the weather be cold, a few minutes will 
be sufficient. The covering must, in all cases, be regulated ac- 
cording to the temperature of the atmosphere. 
To make Mushroom spawn: To any portion of fresh horse ma- 
nure, mixed with short litter, add one-third of cow manure, with 
a small quantity of mould to cement it. Mash the whole into a 
thin compost, and spread it on the floor of an open shed until it 
becomes firm enough to make flat square bricks. Which being 
done, set them on edge and frequently turn until half dry, when 
make two small holes in each brick, and insert a piece of good old 
spawn the size of a walnut in each hole. The bricks should then 
remain until they are dry. This being completed, level the sur- 
face of a piece of ground, (if the floor of a shed or house be not 
convenient, ) three feet wide and of length sufficient to receive the 
bricks, on which lay a bottom of dry horse manure six inches 
thick. Place the bricks in rows, one upon another, the spawned 
side being uppermost. Cover with a sufficient quantity of warm 
horse manure to effuse a gentle heat through the whole. When 
the spawn has spread itself throughout every portion of the bricks, 
the process is ended, when they should be laid up in a dry place 
for use. Spawn made in this manner, if well dried before spring, 
will preserve its properties for many years. 
MUSTARD. 
White. Black, 
The seed of each variety should be sown the middle of spring, 
in shallow drills of clean rich ground, and covered with a light, 
thin layer of fine mould. For a fall salad, sow the beginning 
