MUSHROOM SPAWN. 
CARTERS’ SPECIAL "MILLTRACK" BRAND. 
Photographed jam Nature and Copyrighted try J. C. dc Co. 
HOW TO GROW MUSHROOMS WITH LITTLE EXPENSE, 
Preparation of Material. — 'This is the most essential point to be studied to ensure success. Procure fresh stable manure, which 
should consist of half droppings and half short litter; this must be thoroughly turned over every other day for about a fortnight. Manure 
obtained from unhealthy cattle, or from those that have been fed on green food or carrots, should not be used for this purpose. 
For Making 1 Outdoor Beds, the material should be put into a heap, the measurement of which should be, when made up, 
2 ft. 6 in. at bottom, 2 ft. 6 in. high, and 6 in. wide at the top, and to any length required, the whole to be firmly put together. After 
making the bed put stakes down the centre by which to gauge the heat, and cover all with long litter ; after three or four days pull out 
the stakes, and when the temperature is at about 8o° the bed is ready for spawning; break the bricks of spawn into pieces about the 
size of a hen’s egg, and put into the bed about 8 inches apart; cover the whole with fresh fibrous loam, and beat it well, making the 
surface quite firm, lightly water and smooth the surface with the back of a spade, finally cover up with long litter and Russian mats 
to keep away light and excessive moisture. 
Mushrooms may also be grown in any shed or cellar where the temperature does not fall below 45 0 ; the best site for a 
bed is a hard dry floor. A moderate size bed would measure 5 ft. 6 in. x 4 ft. 6 in. x 1 ft. When made up and well pressed down, 
in about six weeks Mushrooms should show, and the bed should then have a light watering with tepid water about every ten days, as 
success depends upon maintaining an even temperature. 
Another and very easy mode of providing a supply of Mushrooms in the autumn and early winter months is to insert lumps of 
spawn, in August, in the beds that are devoted to Cucumbers and Melons. By that time the heat of the fermenting materials has 
declined to the proper temperature for the spawn to “run” freely; and just when the Cucumber, etc., are ready for removal, large 
quantities of Mushrooms are often seen breaking through the soil, and with protection in the form of hay coverings, the supply is 
continued for a long time. I he spawn should be inserted rather deeply — four or five inches. It is not in every case that good crops 
follow this practice ; but the trouble is so slight and the cost of spawn so trifling, whilst at the same time the results are often so 
satisfactory, that this simple plan is worthy of more general adoption. 
For further particulars see “CARTERS’ PRACTICAL GARDENER,” Price Is., Post Free, Is. 3d. 
“ The last lot of Mushroom Spawn 1 had gave me excellent results ; not only that, but kept 
cropping on for months. I may say 1 never had a crop of Mushrooms until 1 gave your Special 
Mushroom Spawn a trial."— Mr. K. McHardy, Gardener to Mrs. Kerr, Ciallowhifl. 
“ The Mushroom Spawn you sent me some months ago has come on splendidly, and 1 got a nice 
supply of Mushrooms.”— Mr. G. Waddington, Northam. 
“ We have had grand crops of Mushroom Spawn from the last supply — some as large as saucers. 
- Mr. J. Smith, Uallikinrain Castle. 
“The four bricks Mushroom Spawn gave every satisfaction. I think I had quite two bushels 
from them." — Mr. H. J. Fincher, Tring. 
“ The last Mushroom Spawn had from Carters' far exceeded my expectations. I have had several 
measuring 7 to 8 inches across and weighing £ lb.” — Mr. J. W. Bull, Godmanchestei , 
“ I had some Mushroom Spawn from Carters', and have never had such a fine crop before. The 
Mushrooms made their appearance in five weeks from the time of spawning the bed/'— Major-Gen. 
Anderson, Cambcrley. 
I Brick 6d. 
1 Brick, Carriage free, 9d. 
Carters’ 
4 Bricks Is. 6d. 
4 Bricks, Carriage free, 2s. 
Special Mushroom Spawn. 
8 Bricks 3s. 
8 Bricks, Carriage free, 4s. 
Prices : 
16 Bricks 5s. 6d. 
16 Bricks, Carriage free, 6s. 6d. 
24 Bricks 7s. 
24 Bricks, Carriage free, 8s. 
***" We are only able to pay carriage on Mushroom Spawn when ordered with other goods. 
CARTERS'. 237, 238, & 97, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON.— 1898. 
