of what was inside will be outside, and vice versa. If too dry, water the 
dry parts and pack down again. Compacting also reduces the number 
of turnings, and tends to keep ammonia intact, which is important. 
To be sure all possibility of burning is out, this should be done about 
3 weeks, and then if it isn't dry enough add loam. It is then ready for 
making the bed. 
The third method, which seems very simple, but which is recom- 
mended because it does away with the too great dryness and has a 
tendency to hold moisture longer, is: For every load of fresh horse 
manure add a load of thoroughly rotted manure. Mix well and make 
the bed the followng day. 
The method of making the bed is simple, and beds may be made in 
boxes or trays 9 to 15 inches deep, and as long as desired, on floors of 
sheds or barns, or on shelves of sheds or barns. Layers of the mixture 
are placed in boxes and pounded absolutely firm until the 9-15 inches 
has been reached. Equal placing of material and proper pressing 
down has much to do with the success. 
The temperature of the beds should be then taken, and I beHeve 
a thermometer on a stick comes for this purpose. The first temper- 
ature should be no degrees to 120, but do not spavin until the tem- 
perature has subsided to 90 or 95. When it has gone down to that, 
is the time to insert the spawn. 
Spawn may be bought from almost any seedman. Dreer, I know, 
has it, and Burpee. It comes in bricks and there are two varieties — 
French, which comes in thin, loosely-put-together, matlike bricks, 
and English, a hard firm brick of hard manure with spawn. Mill- 
track English Spawn is especially recommended. Spawn must be 
kept very dry till the beds are ready. 
The English brick is broken into small pieces about the size of a 
walnut and inserted 2 or 3 inches in depth, and 5 to 9 inches apart, 
pressing the soil very firmly after each insertion. 
Some advise examining the beds after 10 days or 2 weeks, to see 
if the spawn is taking, and if little white thread-like cords are 
spreading, then cover the boxes with 2 or 3 inches of good loam, and 
press down hard or pound. The temperature of the place should be 
about 50 or 60 degrees, and if there is danger of the place getting 
cooler, put straw or hay over the beds. 
French Spawn, which is thin and loosely constructed, like Tris- 
cuit, may be inserted sideways so that the spawn is at different levels 
in the box, but is otherwise treated in the same way. 
Watering the beds is hardly ever necessary if the mixture is right, 
and if even temperature of the room is maintained. If however the 
beds should dry out, water with luke warm water, and water evenly. 
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