THE CULTIVATION OF THE MUSHROOM. 
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as inconsistent to expect a good supply of Mushrooms from inferior spawn, as to anticipate a good 
crop of Mirer vegetable from seeds of a bad quality. 
Spawn of excellent quality may be made in the following manner. To one barrow-load of moder¬ 
ately strong loam add two of horse-droppings, fresh from the stable, and two of cow-dung (sheep or 
deer-dung may be used with equal success). Thoroughly intermix these in a dry state, then wet and 
work the mixture to the consistence of mortar, and spread it on a level floor. When it is set 
sufficiently firm, cut it into bricks about a foot square, place them on edge in an airy situation, but 
sheltered from wet, and as soon as they become tolerably dry, build them into a square heap, placing 
a piece of spawn on each brick, betwixt every layer, and cover the whole with dry litter. The heap 
will now require attention every day, for fear it should ferment too strongly. If the Thermometer 
rises above 90 degrees, the litter must be removed, the heap flattened, and recovered. Should fermen¬ 
tation not take place sufficiently for the working of spawn, it will be necessary to add more litter: in 
a word, too much attention cannot be made at this crisis of spawn-making. If the spawn does not 
run freely through the whole mass until it becomes of a whitish appearance, it will be of inferior 
quality; but if it passes this state, and upon breaking the bricks, long filaments or threads are found, 
it will be almost useless for the purposes of reproduction. This process may be gone through with 
success any time from March till September, but the spring may be considered the best time, as it is 
easier to raise the temperature than to depress it; and a better opportunity of drying the spawn is 
gained, which is a matter of vital consequence in keeping it for any length of time. Spawn well 
made, properly dried, and securely stored, will retain its properties for almost any length of time. 
Horse-dung, as has before been observed, is one of the chief, if not the most ready, of all manures 
in the generation of natural spawn; and hence it is most generally used in the cultivation of the 
Mushroom; and when properly managed, I would venture an opinion that no manure equals it for 
this purpose. But as we generally see it used, or, rather abused, a successful result is not so general 
as could be desired. The following is a summary of the system of 'Mushroom bed-making, than which 
nothing can be more incongruous with the anticipated result. The dung is either fermented until it 
nearly reaches that state which we call spit-dung, or it is procured in such condition from exhausted 
linings, and thrown together in the shape of a bed, three or four feet thick, made firm by treading or 
beating, left for a fortnight or so, then spawned again, left for about the same space of time, when it 
is earthed over to the thickness of half an inch, and covered with litter. If the dung is in that state 
of dryness and heat which is suitable for the working of the spawn, in due time Mushrooms appear in 
abundance on the surface of the soil, but few come to perfection. By this time the bed is found rather 
dry, a drenching of cold water is given, and a system of treatment concluded as inconsistent with the 
production of the Mushroom as an enlightened gardener could be found practising. 
A few years ago, Mr. James Barnes, in an article in the Gardener's Magazine, endeavoured to show 
the absurdity of the above plan, and at the same time indicated a method of his own, which he had 
practised successfully for many years. It is simply as follows:—At any season of the year procure 
fresh horse-dung, divest it of the longest of the litter, but I find this may be used while dung is scarce; 
add sufficient soil-loam, if it can be obtained, but other soil will answer, to prevent excessive 
fermentation. When sufficient is procured, make the bed, if possible under shelter, and of a substance 
suitable to trie season of the year—say a foot and a-half in summer, and from three to four feet in 
winter. Tread and beat firmly as in other cases, and let it rest until a settled temperature of from 
80 to 90 degrees is obtained. At that time introduce pieces of spawn about two or three 
inches square, a foot apart, all over the surface of the bed. It is better that the spawn be in large 
pieces, as if the temperature of the bed should accidentally rise, so as to burn it, there is a chance of 
the middle of a large piece being uninjured, while a small piece would be destroyed altogether. Let the 
bed remain a fortnight, or three weeks, then examine the spawn, and if it be running freely, earth it 
over to the thickness of three inches with good rich holding loam, and beat it it firmly and smoothly 
down with the back of a spade, and cover with litter to the thickness that the temperature of the bed 
will indicate as necessary. In about a month, give the whole bed a soaking of hot water, boiling, or 
nearly so; and water the litter with the same. This will infuse a genial warmth and moisture into 
the bed, peculiarly conducive to the growth of the Mushroom, and destroying every living insect. I 
may mention, in justice to Mr. Barnes, that I have seen this system practised with astonishing success. 
I have abed at the present time made upon this principle, literally amass of spontaneous spawn. The 
slight fermentation obtained by the addition of the soil encourages the production of natural spawn, 
and is highly conducive to the growth of that procured artificially. The gradual decomposition 
maintains the dung in a state of fermentation a great length of time, and the quality or virtue of the 
manure is secured for the nourishment of the crop.—S. 
