MUSHROOM SPAWN. 
79 
spawn, as we call it, and break it up into pieces, and 
plant these pieces separately in a prepared bed of manure 
or other material, under conditions favorable for their 
growth, and we find that these pieces of spawn develop 
into vigorous plants that bear fruit (mushrooms) in 
about two months from planting time. When the spawn 
has borne its full crop of fruit it dies. 
Well, then, if we can not produce spawn from spores, 
and the spawn in the beds that have borne mushrooms 
has died out, how are we to get the spawn for our future 
crops ? is a question that may suggest itself to the inex¬ 
perienced. By securing it when it is in its most rigor¬ 
ous condition, which is before it begins to show signs of 
forming mushrooms, and drying it, and keeping it dry 
till required for use. But in order to secure the spawn 
we need to take and keep with it the manure to which 
it adheres or in which it is spreading. In this way it 
can be kept in good condition for several years and with¬ 
out its vitality being perceptibly impaired. Keeping it 
dry merely suspends its growth ; as soon as it is again 
submitted to favorable conditions of moisture and heat 
its pristine activity returns. 
Mushroom spawn can be obtained at any seed store. 
Our seedsmen always keep it in stock, both the brick 
(English), and the flake (French) spawn. It is retailed 
in quantities of one pound or more, and as the article 
is perfectly dry it can be easily sent by mail in small 
quantities. 
The seedsmen import it from Europe every year along 
with their seeds. A prominent Boston seedsman writes 
me: “We get our supply through the London whole¬ 
sale seedsmen, for the sake of convenience and cheaper 
ocean freight, etc. Coming with a shipment of other 
goods and on same bill of lading brings the freight 
charges down. The low price at which mushroom 
spawn is sold in quantity can only be maintained with 
