MUSHROOM. 



117 



and a good portion of loamy mould. Incorporate them 

 thoroughly, mixing them with the drainings of a dungheap, 

 and beat them until the whole becomes of the consistency 

 of a thick mortar. Spread the mixture on the level floor 

 of an open shed, and beat it fiat with a spade. When it 

 becomes dried to the proper consistency, cut it into bricks 

 about eight inches square ; set them on edge, and turn fre- 

 quently until half dry, then dibble two holes about half 

 through each brick, and when perfectly dry, insert in 

 each hole a piece of good spawn. Then somewhere under 

 cover place a bottom of dry horse dung six inches thick, 

 and place the bricks spawn side up, one upon another. 

 The pile may be made three feet high ; cover it with warm 

 horse-dung sufficient to diffuse a gentle glow of heat 

 through the whole. The heat should not be over 70°, and 

 the pile should be examined the second day to see that it 

 does not overheat. When the spawn is diffused entirely 

 through the bricks the process is finished. The bricks 

 should then be laid separately in a dry place, and if kept 

 perfectly dry, retain their vegetative power for many years. 

 One bushel of spawn will plant a bed four feet by 

 twelve. 



Beds for mushrooms may be made anywhere in a dry 

 situation under cover. Make them four feet wide, and from 

 ten to fifteen feet long, according to the wants of the 

 family. A small shed might be erected for the purpose, 

 but the back of a greenhouse is a very good situation, as 

 they do not need much light. Space must be left for an 

 alley, and if the shed be ten feet wide, it will admit of a 

 bed on each side. 



A sufficient quantity of the droppings of hard-fed 

 horses, pretty free from litter, must be obtained, which, 

 while collecting, must be kept dry, and spread out thinly 

 and turned frequently to prevent violent heating. When 



