G18 THE rrvACTicAL gardener. [Jan. 



even as possible. The reducing the beds into a very solid 

 body is a most essential point, for without it, you cannot ex- 

 pect success, and the thickness of them must also be particu- 

 larly attended to, for where there is a much greater body, the 

 beds will be subjected to a strong fermentation, and will be 

 prevented by evaporation, from retaining that consistency in 

 the dung whicli is absolutely necessary for the production of a 

 good and plentiful crop. On the contrary, if a much less 

 quantity be laid together, the heat and fermentation will be 

 insufficient to prepare the beds for the nourishment of the 

 spawn ; but the assistance of both, to the extent prescribed, 

 cements the materials, which, in addition to beating, nicreases 

 greatly their solidity. The proper vegetation of the spawn, 

 and the consequent crop of mushrooms, depend entirely upon 

 a moderate genial heat and fermentation, neither too stroni^ 

 nor too slight. As soon as the heat in the beds is a little more 

 than that of milk from the cow, (say from eighty to ninety 

 degrees of Fahrenheit,) beat the beds a second time, to ren- 

 der them, if possible, more solid ; then make holes with a dibble 

 three inches in diameter, and nine inches asunder, through the 

 compost in every part of the beds. These holes will be the 

 means of cooling the beds, and preventing that excess of heat 

 from taking place, which would produce rottenness and render 

 them unproductive. If the beds do not attain the heat re- 

 quired in four or five days after putting up, (which may be 

 known by plunging a thermometer into one of the holes), 

 add another layer of the compost two inches thick, which will 

 probably increase the heat sufficiently ; if not, a part of the 

 bed should be taken away, and the remainder mixed with fresh 

 horse-droppings, and wrought together in the same manner 

 as before, in order to produce the proper degree of lieat. 

 Beds made after this manner readily generate natural spawn 

 in summer, and frequently in the winter months.'* 



SPAWNING THE BEDS. 



*' In three or four days after the holes have been made, 

 by observing the thermometer it will be found that the desired 

 degree of heat has been obtained, and the inside of the holes 



