FORCING MUSHROOMS. 
129 
zourse is quite dry, and judged to be past a state of fermen- 
tation, cover it to the thickness of two inches with light, dry 
earth ; if sandy, so much the better. It is immaterial whe- 
ther it be rich or not, the only use of earth here being for 
spawn to run and mass in. Now lay another course of drop- 
pings, and earth them over as above, when past a state of 
fermentation : then a third course, which, in like manner, 
earth all over. This finishes the bed, which will be a very 
strong and productive one, if properly managed afterward. 
“ Observe, that in forming the bed, it should be a little 
rounded, in order that the centre may not be more wet ol 
moist than the sides. This may be done in forming the sole 
or floor at first, and the bed would then be of equal strength 
in all parts. If it be made up against a wall in a cellar, 
stable, or shed, it may have a slope of a few inches from the 
back to the front, less or more, according to its breadth. I 
have sometimes been contented with two courses as above, 
instead of three ; and often, when materials were scarce, 
have made them up slighter, thus : three four-inch courses 
of droppings, with one inch of earth between each, and a 
two-inch covering at top. Such a bed as this, I have had 
produce for ten or twelve months together ; but very much 
depends on the state of the materials, and on the care taken 
in making it up, also on the after management. 
“ The droppings of hard-fed horses only are useful. Those 
of horses kept on green food will, of themselves, produce 
few or no mushrooms. I have made up beds from farm 
horses, fed partly on hard and partly on green food, and 
from carriage or saddle horses, fed entirely on corn and hay; 
treated th 3m in the same way in every respect ; and have 
found, not once, but always, those made from the latter most 
productive. Droppings from hard-fed horses may be pro- 
cured at the public stables in towns, or at inns in the coun- 
try, any time of the year ; and if the supply be plentiful, a 
bed of considerable dimensions may be made and finished 
within five or six weeks. In as many more weeks, if in « 
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