STOKES SEED FARMS COMPANY 



MOORESTOWN NEW JERSEY 



Mushroom 



(Agaricus Campestris) 



MUSHROOM SPAWN 



We offer our trade the American Spore Culture Spawn which is produced from the original spores of the best varieties, gathered, 

 germinated and propagated under the famous French process. We believe they are the most vigorous and prolific strain on the market 

 at the present time. Although mushrooms are essentially a fall and winter crop, there is no reason why they should not be purchased in 

 the spring. The American Spore Culture Spawn brick weighs from l]4 to pounds and will spawn eight to ten square feet of 

 beds. We keep on hand the white variety, which is generally preferred, but should be pleased to secure the cream or brown varieties if 

 wanted in large quantity. 



' Mushroom spawn is a term used commercially and includes the spawn proper or mycelium, a felt or thread-like growth of greyish 

 white color, the brick being the carrying medium in which it is developed or preserved. In nature mushrooms of the Agaricus type 

 are primarily reproduced by means of spores which drop from their gills at maturity. When germinated, these spores produce the 

 thread-like growth above referred to as mycehum or spawn. In its further development under certain conditions, mycelium forms pin-heads 

 and finally fully expanded mushrooms. Until quite recently the natural method of germinating the spores of the mushroom had remained 

 an unknown secret. Price: Per brick 40^, 5 bricks, $1.80 postpaid; by express, 10 bricks, $2.50; 25 bricks, $6.00; 100 bricks, $22.50; 

 in case lots of 160 bricks $32.00. 



MUSHROOM GROWING 



By Prof. C. W. Waid, Michigan Agricultural College, in the Market Growers' Journal 



Mushroom culture assiuned large proportions in the United 

 States during the last few years. It is estimated that some seasons 

 as high as 5,000,000 pounds are produced. The high price at which 

 this choice article of food has been selling would seem to indicate 

 that the supply has not met the demand. 



The bulk of this crop is grown in houses built for the purpose, or 

 in caves, cellars, tunnels, etc. In many greenhouses there are 

 benches which are used for plant growing and other purposes. In 

 most instances the space underneath these benches is not utilized. 

 There is no reason why with the proper attention to details this 

 area could not be made to produce a good return from mushroom 

 culture. 



Some of the essentials for success in mushroom culture are : 



1. That the soil be thoroughly drained. 



2. That the manure be carefully prepared. 



3. That the spawn be of good quality and in good condition. 



4. That the moisture and temperature conditions be right. 



In preparing the manure for the bed it should be carefully com- 

 posted and should never be allowed to heat nor to receive too large 

 an amount of moisture. From eight to ten inches of manure, after 

 it has been well firmed, is the most common depth used. Sometimes 

 it is necessary to give light sprinklings during the time the manure 

 is being composted. The proper condition of the manure, so far as 

 moisture is concerned, is that it should be sufficiently moist to 

 leave the hand damp when it is squeezed in the hand, but not so 

 moist that water is squeezed out. 



Since the introduction by Duggar of the pure culture spawn it 

 has been much easier to get surer spawn than it was before. Great 

 care should be exercised to get good spawn. It is a good plan to 

 test it out in a small way before it is purchased and used in large 

 quantities. The spawn is sold as a rule in bricks 53^ x 83^ x 13^ 

 inches in size. Fresh spawn should always be used. It should 

 not be over six or eight months old. 



When the temperature of the bed is 70 to 80 degrees as deter- 

 mined by a thermometer, the spawning should be done. If it is 

 done when the temperature is lower than 70 the growth will be much 

 less rapid The spawn bricks are broken into ten or a dozen pieces, 

 each piece being sufficient for about one square foot of bed space. 

 A little manure is raised and the spawn placed underneath. 



About ten days or two weeks after the spawn is in place an inch 

 or two of fine, rich loamy soil is placed over the manure. This is 

 what is called casing the beds. The purpose of this soil is to con- 

 serve the moisture in the manure and give support to the mush- 

 rooms. It is also claimed that it gives quality to the product. 



The moisture conditions of the soil and manure are of great 

 importance. Overwatering should be avoided, but light sprinklings, 

 whenever the casing indicates a dry condition, will be an advantage. 

 Frequent, but hght watering should be the rule. Only enough water 

 should be applied to moisten the soil. It should not be allowed to 

 penetrate the manure. 



The temperature of 55 degrees is considered ideal for growing 

 mushrooms. The growth is more rapid at higher temperatures but 

 the period of production correspondingly is reduced. The main- 

 taining of proper temperature is one of the chief ways of controlUng 

 insects and diseases. 



There is no objection to light reaching the beds, although mush- 

 rooms can be grown where it is quite dark. The principal objection 

 to sunlight striking the beds is that it may cause the soil to dry out 

 too much. 



There are several small insects which are more or less injurious 

 in mushroom culture. Small flies or gnats which infest manure and 

 the mushroom mite may do some damage. An insect known as 

 springtails may also do harm to the crop. This pest is most likely 

 to be troublesome in damp, poorly ventilated houses. The common 

 sow-bug is also an enemy of the mushroom. Poisoned slices of raw 

 potato placed over the beds will usually control this enemy. 



49 



Mushrooms are constantly in greater demand. They are not difficult to produce. 



