Sept.] THE KITCHEN-GARDEN. 483 
the parts may be equally fermented, and the violent heat passed 
away. In this state it should remain till about the first week of 
October, when the bed is to be made as directed in that month; 
or the preparation may commence in August, and the beds be made 
any time this month at pleasure. 
The reason for the previous preparation of the dung, is to pre- 
vent a too violent fermentation when the bed is made, which 
would totally destroy the spawn; and moreover, by this manage- 
ment it will preserve a slow temperate warmth much longer than 
if put together when quite fresh. 
You must likewise provide a sufficiency of good mushroom 
spawn; this is frequently to be found in rich pasture fields, old 
mushroom beds, old cucumber beds, dung-hills or dungy composts, 
but that of the true kind from the pastures, or old mushroom beds 
is to be preferred; it may also be found where horses are employed 
under sheds in turning mills, riding houses, livery-stable yards, Sec. 
The spawn is a white fibrous substance, running and spreading 
itself in the rich pasture-grounds and in lumps of dryish rotten 
clung, and if of the true sort, has the exact smell of the cultivated 
kind. 
Take up the earth or dung in which you find it, in lumps, 
observing to preserve these entire, and lay them in a dry shady 
place till wanted; you may cover them with straw or garden mats, 
for much wet would totally destroy the spawn. But if the pieces 
are wet or very damp when collected, they must be spread to dry 
gradually; the spawn is seldom, if ever, destroyed by drought, 
especially when mixed with earth or dung. For the method of 
making and spawing the bed, Etc. see the Kitchen-Garden for 
October. 
Gather Seeds. 
Gather all kinds of seeds as they ripen, which may be necessary 
in the ensuing season, and spread them to dry on mats or cloths; 
when sufficiently hardened beat them out, clean, and put them up 
carefully till wanted for sowing. 
Perennial Herbs. 
Towards the latter end of this month, you may safely transplant, 
all kinds of hardy perennial pot, aromatic, and medicinal herbs, 
which will take fresh root and be well established before winter; but 
this should be done, if possible, in moist weather. 
Southern States. 
In the southern states, particularly, where the winters are mild, 
you may sow at this time, carrots, and onions for early spring use, 
as well as all the other articles recommended to be sown in this 
month; and also plant out late crops of borecole, broccoli, celery, 
cabbages for winter, coleworts, endive, &c. &c. 
