42 HOCKINGS' GARDEN MANUAL. 



dung (if wet, to be dried three or four days pre- 

 viously), the dung to be well beaten down in the boxes. 

 After the second or third day, if any heat has arisen 

 amongst the dung, it is then a fit time to spawn. 

 Take pieces of the spawn the size of an apple and 

 place them about four inches apart upon the surface 

 of the dung ; here let them lie for six days, when it 

 will be probably found that the side of the spawn 

 next to the dung has begun to run in the dung below ; 

 then add one and a-half inch more of fresh dung over 

 all, beaten down as formerly. Tn a fortnight try the 

 dung almost to the bottom of the box, to see if the 

 spawn has run well through it ; if it has, cover two 

 and a-half inches of mould all over, the surface being 

 beaten smooth with a spade. In about a month the 

 mushrooms will begin to appear ; if the mould seems 

 dry, give a gentle watering with warm water. 



MUSTARD. 



Cultivation same as garden cress, which see. 



OKRA, OR GUMBO —(Abelmoschus Esculentus). 



This vegetable is much used in India and the 

 Southern States of America in soups and stews, for 

 which purpose the pods should be gathered while green 

 and tender. Make successive sowings during spring 

 and summer in any good garden soil ; the plants should 

 be about five feet apart, and the pods may be cut into 

 thin slices and dried for winter use. 



ONIONS. 



Onions require a rich, mellow soil, on a dry sub- 

 soil, and are an exception to the general rule of never 



