Account of the Cultivation of Mushrooms, $c. 473 



no old mushroom beds at hand to furnish the scatterings, 

 some spawn bricks must be broken to pieces in order to 

 supply them. The first layer having been thus treated, 

 another is put upon it, and likewise interspersed, and 

 covered with spawn and litter from old beds. A third 

 and fourth stratum may be laid on, or more, and regu- 

 lated in the same manner. The whole pile being com- 

 pleted according to the quantity that is required, it is 

 covered over with hot stable dung, and litter ; and in two, 

 three, or more weeks, according to the state of the weather, 

 the bricks are filled with spawn, and may be laid by for use. 

 I will not hazard an opinion, whether the cow-dung itself 

 contains the elements of spawn, or only acts the part of a 

 matrix, or receptacle; but this I can state, that Mushroom 

 spawn is generated in other dung, besides horse-dung ; for 

 I once found it plentifully in pigeon's-dung. As I have 

 used this preparation of spawn for a length of time, the 

 essence of cow-dung must entirely preponderate in my com- 

 position ; though the origin of the spawn should at first have 

 been derived from horse-dung. I may add, that, when ma- 

 naged in the manner I have described, it yields spawn as 

 productive as any that can be obtained. I was formerly 

 taught to believe that it was essential to mix a portion of 

 horse-dung in the bricks, but my experience has since con- 

 vinced me, that cow-dung alone answers the purpose. The 

 spawn is generated in it plentifully, and of good quality. 



It is of importance, that the bricks alluded to should not 

 be left in a situation which would cause the spawn to work, 

 an effect which would be produced by moisture, combined 

 with warmth. Therefore, when the spawn is bred, the 

 bricks must be laid in a dry place to prevent the process 



