104 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN’S COMPANION, May 19, 1857. 
is anxious to grow Mushrooms on the same ground. He 
says he digs holes or trenches two feet deep and three feet 
wide, which he fills with hot stable dung, covering that with 
sifted soil for the Cucumbers. Now, there is every proba¬ 
bility of his growing Mushrooms in this way, provided he 
takes care that the dung is not too hot, which is not likely 
to be the case unless it be altogether fresh droppings, which 
is not probable; hut he can easily ascertain that, and if the 
heat is only about 70° or 75° he may safely plant some 
spawn on the top of the dung before putting on the soil, and 
in most instances there will be Mushrooms in autumn; hut 
then it must be borne in mind that these only come into use 
when Mushrooms are tolerably plentiful out of doors, and 
consequently are less novel, hut by covering up a little 
after the Cucumbers are gone a late supply may he had. 
Mushroom spawn is often put in with other crops as 
well, but great uncertainty hangs over it, and very often 
the ground is obliged to he disturbed before the Mushrooms 
come into use, and by that means they are destroyed. De¬ 
cidedly the best Mushrooms I have ever seen have been 
grown in hotbeds made up for Melons or Cucumbers, and 
even then it is often six months and more before there are 
any, and still a good sprinkling will be produced. It is only 
proper here to observe that much uncertainty at all times 
hangs over this crop, as is proved by the natural produce in 
a wild state; still, with perseverance and trying various 
plans, a tolerable share of success may be depended on. 
It is useless aiming at Mushrooms anywhere without good, 
useful spawn, which is not always good, and may have been 
deteriorated by keeping. When there is the means of making 
it during the summer it is best to do so, or some good spawn 
may be obtained from old beds; hut these latter pieces do 
not keep so well as the prepared cakes, though for imme¬ 
diate planting they are quite as well, but good spawn may be 
had of many dealers, and when good will go a long way; but 
it is not advisable to break it into pieces smaller than a good- 
sized orange, and its vitality, even under favourable circum¬ 
stances, ought not to be entirely condemned much under 
three months, but it will often produce crops in half that 
time. More particulars, however, will be given on Mush¬ 
room beds in winter as the season advances, and those who 
are anxious to try at making spawn will find ample direc¬ 
tions in some of our back numbers. Other points will be 
treated on in due time.—J. Robson. 
Early Swarm. —I have this afternoon (May 9th) had 
a very large swarm of bees, which are safely hived and going 
on well. I have three other stalls very strong, and if a 
warm day to-morrow I expect another swarm or two. The 
weather has been so cold that I did not expect them so early, 
and these being the first I have heard of, I thought you 
would like to know.—J. S. Haywood, Nursery , Lower Wick, 
near Worcester. 
IMPLEMENTS CONNECTED WITH THE GAR¬ 
DEN AND THE HOUSEHOLD EXHIBITED 
AT THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY’S 
SHOW. 
Besides most of the usual implements serviceable to the 
gardener, Messrs. Cottam and Hallen, 2, Winsley Street, 
Oxford Street, exhibited the following :— 
Footpath or Accommodation Gate and Curve. —These 
are united and fixed in a line with strained Avire, hurdle, or 
continued fencing, and are remarkably neat and convenient 
for admitting, whilst separating, from one part of the grounds 
to the other. 
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Espalier Hurdles. —These are also very neat, and we 
need do no more than remark upon their durability compared 
with similar structures of wood. They are neatest in appear¬ 
ance when painted a greenish grey, so as to be least dis¬ 
tinguishable from the branches of the tree. 
—6„ o'.'.—...~. 
house, and trees are planted in the pasture or lawn, no 
guard is either so ornamental or effectual as this. 
Wrougiit-Iron Tree Guard.—W here sheep or other 
grazing animals are admitted upon grass within view of the 
