ABERCROMBIE,JOHN. GARDEN MUSHROOM...
1779
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1817
ARTES
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U24919.099.JSO.SNW.UNION

ERCROMBIE
L. C. C. KRIEGER
MYCOLOGICAL CLORARY
UNIV. MICH. HERBARION


Τ Η Ε
Blue Gaston
GARDEN MUSHROOM:
ITS
NATURE AND CULTIVATION.
A
TRE A TI SE,
EXHIBITING
Full and plain Directions, for producing this deſireable Plant
in Perfection and Plenty, according to the true ſucceſsful
Practice of the LONDON GARDENERS.
BY
JOHN A BERCROMBIE,
,
Author of Mawe’s GARDENER'S KALENDAR.
L O N DO N,
Printed for LOCKYER DAVIS, in HOLBORN,
.
M DCC LXXIX. (1779 )
Price One Shilling and Six-pence.

Museums
SB
353
Alb
ni

L. C. C. KRIEGER
Museums MYCOLOGICAL LIBRARY
Gi4T
10-19-60 UNIV. MICH, HERBARIUM ,
19-9-2
ADVERTISEMENT,
IN
N the courſe of forty years
pra&ice and obſervation, I have
generally remarked, that the cul-
ture of the Garden Muſhroom
has proved conſiderably more
precarious and unſucceſsful than
that of any other kitchen-garden
-
A 2
vegetable ;

( 4 )
vegetable; or even of almoſt any
other cultivated plant of our gar-
dens; and that its true nature is
little known among the generality
of gardners. Some, even amongſt
experienced and ingenious pro-
feſſors, who raiſe all other plants
in perfection, have been found
often to fail in the article here
deſcribed.
This plant is of fo very ſingular
a growth and temperature, that,
unleſs a proper idea of its nature
and habit is attained, and the pe-
culiar

5)
culiar methods and precautions
purſued in the proceſs of its pro-
pagation and culture, little fucceſs
will enſue. The whole manage-
ment of it remarkably differs from
that of every other ſpecies of the
vegetable kingdom; and it is
the moſt liable of any to fail,
without a very ftri&t obſervance and
care in the different ſtages of its
cultivation.
a
Directions reſpecting the culture
of Muſhrooms, are to be met with
in various books of gardening,
but

(6X
but they are defective and prove
to be of ſmall ſervice, becauſe they
are not the reſult of real practical
experience.
CON-

(7)
CONTENT S.
Page
II
Of the Utility of the Garden Muſhroom,
and its Preference to the Field Sort.
9
Nature, Mode of Growth, and Specific Dif-
tin&tion of the wholeſome Species from
the pernicious Kinds.
Generation of the Plant,
13
Of collecting the Spawn.
of preparing Dung for the Bed.
25
Of forming the Muſhroom Bed. - 28
Spawning
16

CON TEN T S.
36
-
40
Spawning the Bed.
Spawning in the Dung.
Spawning on the Surface.
45
Spawning in the Earth.
General Culture of the Beds; and Produce. 47
Of gathering the Muſhrooms.
51
46
Pue
Of

Of the UTILITY of the
GARDEN MUSHROOM,
AND
Its Preference to the FIELD SORT.
THE Garden Muſhroom, or that produced
by the art of horticulture, or proceſs of re-
gular cultivation in gardens, is greatly ſu-
perior in all reſpects to the wild chance
Muſhroom of the meadows and paſtures. It
is now univerſally admired as one of the de-
licacies of the kitchen garden; and is a re-
quifite production of that department; being
always in requeſt, and highly acceptable,
though ſeldom obtained in plenty and per-
fection. This difficulty has been owing to
its fingular mode of culture being little
B
known

( 10 )
known to the far greater number of practi-
tioners beyond the vicinity of London.
Here it is raiſed by many of the kitchen-
gardeners. Their ſucceſsful method we
have long practiſed, and now propoſe to
explain to the reader.
It may be juſt obſerved, that although
the Muſhroom grows ipontaneouſly in mea-
dows and paſture-fields, it is obtained there
accidentally only, and at a particular ſeaſon :
but, by garden culture, we procure this
plant at any time of the year, whenever it is
wanted, and always of ſuperior goodneſs,
richneſs of flavour; and with a certainty of
its being the true falutiferous, or wholeſoine
kind : a matter of the utmoſt moment, ſince
there are, in the fields, ſo many of a perni-
cious quality, bearing ſo great a ſimilarity
to the true ſort, that, having been gathered by
the unſkilful, have proved fatal to thouſands,
Naturę,

(11)
Nature, Mode of Growth, and Specific Dif
tin&tion of the wholeſome Species from the per-
nicious Kinds.
a
THE Muſhroom is a fungous plant,
without appearance of leaves, flowers, or feed,
a ſpecies of the Genus Agaricus, ſubject to the
botanic claſs Cryptogamia Fungi, comprehen-
ding fungous plants, which have concealed,
or doubtful genital organs, and without viſible
flower or ſeed; thereby belonging to the
family of imperfect vegetables; a numerous
train of which are of this fungous tribe. They
conſiſt of different genera, and numerous ſpe-
cies and varieties, many of them of a poiſon-
ous, or at leaſt of a ſuſpicious nature. One
ſpecies only merits cultivation as a wholeſome
eſculent, which is that under conſideration.
Agaricus Campeſtris, Field Agaric, or Com-
mon Muſhroom, riſes from the ground in its
•B a
perfect

(12)
perfect form, with an erect robuſt ſtipes or
ſtem, one inch or more high, crowned with
a round, convex, thick, fleſhy, white head
or hat, pileus, with lamella, or gills, under-
neath, of a reddiſh fleſh colour; it is ſup-
poſed the flower and ſeed, if any, are con-
cealed between the lamella. When the
plant arrives at full growth, the head ex-
panding almoſt flat, forms a large flap, and
falls on the ground over the ſuppoſed feed.
This is a fugacious plant of quick growth
and ſhort duration, advancing firſt like ſmall
white round knobs, which, increaſing faſt in
fize, and ſoinetimes partly accompliſhing their
growth within the ſurface, ſuddenly make
their eruption from the earth above half-
grown, in the morning, where there was no
ſign of them the night before. But in the
regular beds they ariſe variouſly, ſpreading
over the whole ſurface, ſome as ſmall as
peale,

( 13 )
peale, ſome the ſize of buttons, and ſome
near full growth ; others frequently appear
iſſuing from the bed of a large fize, being
completely formed under the ſurface.
This ſpecies (Agaricus Campeſtris) is diſtin-
guiſhable from all others, by its fine white
fleſhy head, the red colour of the gills, and
by its imparting an agreeable Muſhroom
flavour. As the plant becomes large, the
gills aſſume a blackiſh red without, retaining
however internally its fleſhy colour, by which
it always ſhews itſelf to be the true fort,
a
Generation of the Plant.
THE Muſhroom tribe has long afforded
much ſpeculation to naturaliſts, with reſpect
to being perfect or imperfect plants. The
flower and ſeed, from their exceeding mi-
nuteneſs

( 14 )
nuteneſs and obſcurity, (if they really exiſ
at all) remaining inviſible even by the aid of
the microſcope. Many therefore fuppoſe
that there is no production of flower or ſeed;
but that they owe their origin entirely to the
putrefaction of earth or dung. This fort of ſoil
however firſt diſcovers them under the form of
a white, mouldy, fibrous ſubſtance, called
ſpawn, which proves productive of nume-
rous minute white knots, or embryo plants,
gradually increaſing to the perfect Muſhroom.
On this ſubject the botanic world have
been long divided in opinion, the moderns
generally contend for the flower and ſeed,
and have in a manner confuted the doctrine
of putrefaction.
Theſe conſider the Muſhroom as a true
and perfect plant, produced from feed
afforded

( 15 )
afforded from the flower of preceding plants
by ſome wonderful ſecret in nature.
The inviſible feed diſcharged on the adja-
cent foil, and thence diſſeminated by the air
to fituations adapted to it's nature, germi-
nates and ſhoots forth into white fibrous,
cobweb-like ſubſtances, ſpreading and form-
ing the ſpawn and embryo plants for the
production of the future Muſhroom. Thus,
probably, by ſuch diſſemination, and ſo
myſterious a progreſs of nature, adapted to
certain ſoils and fituations, it is, that we often
find both Muſhroom and ſpawn abundantly in
obſcure places where none were ever obſerved
before, in old dung hot-beds, horſe dung-
hills, and in bye dry places where horſe-Itable
dung has lain undiſturbed till rotten.
The ſpawn is alſo often found in paſture
fields under the turf, in places where Muſh-
rooms

( 16 )
sooms are obſerved to riſe naturally, dung-
ſpawn however is preferable for garden cul-
ture, as well on account of the probability of
a good crop, as of it's being the true fort.
Of colle&ting the Spawn.
AFTER the foregoing ſtrictures on the
general nature, growth, generation and propa-
gation of the Muſhroom, we proceed to ex-
plain the neceſſary preparation for its culture
in gardens, by the following directions con-
cerning the ſpawn,
The propagation of the Muſhroom is to
be effected by planting lumps of ſpawny-
dung, found chiefly in dry rotten dung or
clods of dungy earth, and interwoven in the
foil in numerous white ſtringy fibres, often of
a cob-web-like form, and if of the true fort,
diſco-

( 17 )
diſcovering a ſtrong ſmell of the Muſhrooi.
A due quantity ſhould always be provided
previous to making the bed, in order that
you may inore readily judge of what ſize to
determine upon ; for it is ſometimes difficult
to be had in any conſiderable abundance;
ſo that according as it is occaſionally met
with, it ſhould be carefully collected,
taking the lumps of ſpawn and earth
entire, of which, for a bed twenty feet long,
three or fout buſhels will be requiſite, and
ſo in proportion.
a
Spawn is obtained the moſt readily and in
abundance in parcels of decayed dung and
dungy compoſts; but commonly more
plenteouſly and good in rotten horſe ſtable
dung, compoſed of the ſhort dung and moiſt
litter together, as cleared from the ſtables,
either collected in dung-heaps, or formed
into hot-beds, compoſts, &c. when it has
с
remained

( 18 )
remained ſome months till its fermentation
and heat are decreaſed, and a ſtate of decay
and putrefaction brought on.
This kind of
dung being more adapted to the generation
of
ſpawn than any other, is a favourable
circumſtance, as horſe dung is to be every
where met with.
In cucumber and melon beds, at the
end of the Summer, when the crops are over
and the dung decayed or rotted, we often
diſcover great plenty of moſt excellent
ſpawn.
Old Muſhrooin beds likewiſe which have
been compoſed of the ſame kind of warni
dung, when decayed or worn out, and pulled
to pieces, generally afford good ſpawn, which
fhould be carefully preſerved till wanted.
Be

( 19 )
Be careful too in ſearching adjacent old
dung-hills and dungy compoſt heaps in any
out-grounds, and in ſtable yards, where horſe
dung-heaps have been for ſome continuance
in a ſtate of decay, eſpecially in obſcure dry
corners long undiſturbed.
In the horſe rides and livery ſtable yards
in and about London, where the long
covered rides are littered thickly from the
ſtable, with occaſional dunging and ſtaling,
ſearch towards the ſides where you will
often find great abundance of fine large
cakes of moſt excellent ſtrong ſpawn.
Horſe-mill tracks alſo, where horfes are
conſtantly employed under cover in turning
mills; and many of the great London brew-
eries, tan-yards, and large manufactories,
where
C 2

( 20 )
where horſes work under cover, frequently
furniſh very fine ſpawn,
Sometimes in kitchen gardens, when the
ground has been thickly dunged in the
Spring with half rotten duny, on digging
the ſame again in Autumn, and looking
with care, good lumps of ſpawn are to be
found.
So that in all decayed dung-heaps and
hot-beds, old dungy compoſts, and well
dunged ſoils, not too wet, or the dung very
buttery rotten, you may be ſucceſsful.
Frequently in old dung-heaps ſome ftrag-
Jing Muſhrooms are ſeen to riſe naturally
in Autumn, there you may be ſure to find
ſpawn.
Laſtly

( 21 )
Laſtly it may be procured in the meadows
and other graſs paſtures towards the end of
Summer or in Autumn, here and there, in
places where Muſhrooms happen to riſe in
their natural growth : breaking up the turf,
the ſpawn will be found in the earth, and
may be digged up in lumps for uſe : how-
ever, where enough of dung-ſpawn can be
had, I always prefer it to that of the
field, as before noticed,
'The beſt ſeaſon to find ſpawn in the
greateſt plenty and perfection is the Autumn
and early part of Winter; for ſpawn being
of a ſingular temperament, impatient of much
wet, or cold, or of being much expoſed to
the open air, it ſhould be carefully col-
lected for uſe before it is injured and weak-
ened by the inclemency of the weather; for it
is of much importance to have it in full
vigour, when, it may be directly uſed
in
3

(22)
in ſpawning beds, provided it be quite dry;
otherwiſe let it lye by for a few weeks.
Be careful, in collecting the ſpawn, to have
the lumps or cakes of ſpawny dung taken up
entire, placing them in a baſket or wheel-
barrow, in order to be carried into ſome dry
cloſe ſhed or room, to be depoſited till
wanted; noticing whether any of the lumps
be wet : in that caſe ſpread them to dry a
little; then let the whole be placed in a dry
corner, cloſely covered with ſtraw or litter
or garden mats; or packed up in facks or
hampers, covered cloſe in the ſame manner,
whether for preſent uſe, or for keeping. By
attending to theſe directions its vegetative
power may be long retained, and the ſpawn
ſafely ſent to any diſtant place.
We fhould be particularly cautious to re-
ject ſpurious or falſe ſpawn; for there is a
degenerated

( 23 )
a
degenerated variety, called white-cup, which
produces a ſort of Muſhroom with a finall
thin white head without any fleſhy part, and
generally riſes up ſuddenly in the beds. This
fort is entirely uſeleſs, and often diſappoints
the gardener. It is diſtinguiſhable generally
by its great abundance all over the lumps, by
its very fine filky cobwebby nature, and its ex-
ceeding white hoary-like appearance; it has
little or no ſubſtance, and emits but a very
faint ſmell of the Muſhroom.
a
About London, where great quantities of
Muſhrooms are raiſed for the markets, and
conſequently vaſt ſupplies of ſpawn are an-
nually required, there are experienced Muſh-
room-men, who, at the proper ſeaſon, go
about collecting, both in town and country,
the true fort, which they buy commonly from
about half a crown to five or fix ſhillings per
buſhel, according to its goodneſs or plenty.
Ia

( 24 )
In very cold wet ſeaſons it is both bad and
{carce; and dear in proportion.
Good ſpawn may alſo be purchaſed occaſio
onally of the kitchen-gardeners in the neigh-
bourhood of London, many of whom have
extenſive Muſhroom-beds, as well as com-
mon hot-beds. Theſe beds when old, being
pulled to pieces, often afford more ſpawn
than the gardener has occaſion for, which
they lay up dry, and diſpoſe of by the buſhel -
when wanted.
Let it be obſerved again of the ſpawn in
general, that it muſt be kept dry till wanted;
and if any lumps at firſt gathering appear
wer, ſpread then in a ſhady covered place
before they are laid up in a houſe; for it is of
much importance to have the ſpawn perfectly
dry when planted
Of

( 25 )
Of preparing Dung for the Beds.
NO dung anſwers the purpoſe fo well as
that of the horſe, the dung and urine of
this animal, together with the wet ſtraw lit-
ter of the ſtalls in the ſtables, being of a hot
quality, ferments, and acquires a ſtrong de-
gree of heat of long duration ; but as this
heat generally proves too violent at firſt for
the growth of vegetables, the dung ſhould
always be previouſly reduced to a proper.
temperature, by caſting it up in an heap, and
turning it once or twice, in order to evapo-
rate the rank burning ſteam before its fer-
mentation. A quantity, in proportion to the
ſize or extent of the intended bed, muſt be
procured. For a bed of twenty feet long,
three or four large cart-loads will be neceſſary,
and ſo in proportion to any length intended;
as a bed may be made of almoſt any extent,
D
from

( 26 )
from ten feet to fifty if required; four or five
feet wide at bottom, drawing into a ſharp
ridge at top four or five feet high; which
will allow for ſettling.
For private uſe, a ſingle bed of about
ten or fifteen feet in length may be fully
ſufficient. But for the ſupply of the London
markets, long parallel ranges are made, from
twenty to fifty feet in length.
Provide therefore a proportionate quantity
of the beſt freſh horſe-ſtable dung and litter,
warm and moiſt, rejecting ſuch as is dry and
decayed, and ſuch as has already exhauſted
its fermenting property. Let this be taken
long and ſhort as it comes to hand; and as it is
brought in, toſs it up together in an heap,
carefully mixing, that the whole maſs may
acquire an equal degree of heat.
Thus

( 27 )
Thus let it remain together three or four
weeks, according to the quantity and ſtrength
of heat, in order that it may meliorate, by
diſcharging the rank obnoxious ſteam; and
if it is turned over once every week, it will ſtill
incorporate the parts more effectually, and
give an additional vent to the fierce ferment.
This preparation of the dung is abſolutely
neceſſary, as without ſuch precaution, when
formed into a cloſe bed, it is apt to acquire
ſuch a vehement degree of heat, as to burn
and exhauſt its vegetative power, without
being able to effect the purpoſe intended; for
the ſpawn requires a bed that only gradually
advances to its full heat, and declines in the
ſame gradual manner; till reduced to the low,
kindly, growing warmth that is peculiar to the
nature of the ſpawn, and the growth of the
Muſhroom;
a
D 2
of

( 28 )
Of the Muſsroom Bed.
THE ſeaſons for making the beds have
been already obſerved under the article of
preparing the dung. With reſpect to the
ſituation, they may either be in melonary or
cucumber ground, in a dry elevated ſpot, and
a warm ſunny expoſure; or in any of the large
quarters of a dry kitchen garden.
They may be made either entirely on th
ſurface, or occafionally in a ſhallow trench.
In low or ſtrong foils, where there is danger
of water remaining in Winter, or after hard
rains, elevate the bottom of the bed ſufficient-
ly from the wet. By its being entirely on the
ſurface you have the opportunity of employing
the whole bed quite from the bottom, which
could not be ſo well effected if part were
buried in a trench. If it be deſigned to have
the

( 29 )
a
the bed in one of the dry kitchen garden
quarters, in a rich light ſoil, make a ſhallow
trench about fix inches deep, in order to uſe
the earth thereof in moulding over the bed,
to ſave the trouble of bringing it from a diſ-
tant part; eſpecially where conſiderable ranges
are intended, and require great quantities of
earth ; uſing alſo the earth between the beds,
digged down as low as the bottom of the
dung, that the whole on each ſide of the bed
may be cleared ſufficiently to admit of
ſpawning it quite from the bottom. The bed
ſhould be four or five feet wide, four or five
feet high, and in length it may extend from
ten to fifty feet or more. If two or more
beds are intended, let thein be arranged pa-
rallel one beſide the other, at fix or eight feet
diſtance, and, if convenient, ranged South
and North, that both ſides may have equal
benefit of the ſun's influence, for occaſionally
drying

( 30 )
drying the covering of litter more effectually,
when rendered wet by exceſſive rains.
According to the above directions, mark
out the places for the beds, and let the
ſurface of the ground be well cleared from
weeds and rubbiſh four feet wide, and if a
trench is intended, excavate it only about
ten inches deep, laying the mould equally
to both ſides ready for moulding the bed
when ſpawned.
In the formation of the bed different
methods are practiſed; but I never found more
than one to be good and ſucceſsful. Some
are made by a layer of dung a foot thick,
and a layer of earth, alternately; but beds
made entirely of dung are what I recom-
mend; dung and earth together rarely ſuc-
ceed, notwithſtanding this method is recom-
mended by ſome eminent writers, who how-
ever

( 31 )
ever appear to have been totally unacquainted
with the proper management.
Let the dung when duly prepared in the
heap as before adviſed, be brought in long
and ſhort together as it comes to hand :
then having a handy two-tined fork, &c.
begin to form the foundation of the bed by
Ahaking ſome of the longeſt dry litter, evenly
at bottom, forming the bed at firſt to the
full width, and gradually narrowing up-
wards, by drawing in each ſide moderately
and regularly, generally advancing only
a yard or two in length, raiſing it by
degrees to a ridge the full height, as a
guide to the whole; and continuing it along
regularly lengthwiſe in the fame proportion.
Beat the dung firmly in with the fork from
time to time as you proceed, and be careful
to form both ſides of an equal ſlope, nar-
rowing very gradually upwards till they meet
and

( 32 )
and terminate at top in the ſharp ridge be-
fore mentioned; each end to be alſo pro-
portionally floped. Let the whole be firmly
wrought to preſerve effectually the requiſite
uniformity, and prevent ſettling too con-
ſiderably; for it ſhould be three feet, or
three feet and a half perpendicular height
when fully ſettled. Finiſh the work by trim-
ming up all ſmall dung on the ground
around the bed, to the top; beating the
whole on both ſides firm and even ; fo
that the bed now finiſhed may aſſume the
ſhape of the roof of a houſe, both ſides form-
ing ſteep ſlopes, in which the ſpawn is to
be planted.
a
a
In a week or fortnight after the bed is
made it will heat violently, and probably
continue ſo for a fortnight or three weeks
or more, eſpecially if of a conſiderable extent,
and muſt on 110 account be ſpawned till the
violent

( 33 )
violent heat ſubfides and becomes redu-
ced only to a gentle warmth, otherwiſe the
ſpawn will be totally deſtroyed and the
whole work to be done over again, and this
is often the cauſe of ſo many Muſhroom
beds proving barren, the ſpawn periſhing
at the firſt ſetting off. See Spawning the bed,
page 36.
When the bed is made, thruſt down ſome
long ſharp pointed ſticks, two three or
more, in each bed according to its length,
and by drawing up the ſticks two or three
times a week, and feeling the lower end, you
will be able to judge more readily of the
working and ſtate of the beds, for the re-
ception of the ſpawn.
Let the bed be fully expoſed to the open
air, day and night, that its heat may
come on gradually without burning; if
E
excellive

(34)
exceflive rains ſhould happen, caſt ſome dry
litter at top, or ſpread garden mats, ſo as to
Thoot off the wet, left it ſhould periſh the
bed, or occaſion it to heat violently and
burn; either of which would render it totally
uſeleſs. Great humidity is a certain enemy
to Muſhroom beds, as it ſoon exterminates
the whole ſpawny ſubſtance,
a
Some perſons indeed make the beds under
an airy covered ſhed, or barn, or erect a
ſort of awning of canvas : ſome alſo, having
conſiderable ranges of glaſs houſes, make
them in theſe departments. I however have
always found ſucceſs in the open ground,
and generally much better than when under
any covering
a
By way of curioſity and experiment, I
have made a bed for Muſhrooms in the
{ame manner as for cucumbers and melons,
permitting

( 35 )
permitting it to remain till the heat had in
a manner quite declined, then put on the
frame and placed the ſpawn on the ſurface
of the dung, and earthed it two inches with
light fine loam, covered the whole, half a foot,
with dry litter, as alſo the outſide of the
bed and frame, defending it with the lights
tilted behind , and have ſucceeded.
I have obſerved, in the Autumn, in an
old melon hot-bed a large quantity of
ſtrong ſpawn overſpreading the ſurface of
the dung within the frame, and running
conſiderably through the mould, which was
loam. Covering the ſurface of the earth
with dry hay and litter round the outſide,
and puting on the lights, I have ſuffered
the whole to remain undiſturbed till about
February, when the Muſhrooms began to
appear in as great a crop and as fine as
E 2
even

( 36 )
ever were ſeen. In late cucumber and
melon beds, made in April and May, for
the Autumn crops, I have, when the heat
of the bed has become very moderate,
placed ſome pieces of ſpawn along the edges
about two inches under the mould, and in
Autumn, have produced good Muſhrooms,
obſerving to cover the place with a little dry
litter.
However the only certain method is to
make a regular bed as before directed.
Spawning the Bed.
IN the work of ſpawning the bed, the ui-
moſt precaution muſt be obſerved, not to
perform it until the great heat has paſſed off,
and left only a very gentle warmth ; for the
finall tender ſpawny-fibres and minute knots
of

( 37 )
of embryo plants would, by one day's great
heat, be totally deſtroyed. All that is re-
quired, is a kindly warmth juſt to ſet the
ſpawn in motion, and forward it in ſhooting
out its tender fibres over the dung and earth.
But it muſt be remembered, that a bed
being ſpawned and cloſely covered over with
the neceſſary coat of earth, an inch or two
thick, thereby excluding the outward air,
and confining the heat within, occaſions that
heat to be renewed afreſh, and might cauſe
the bed to burn; ſo that you muſt be cauti-
ous in putting in the ſpawn while much heat
remains : nor muſt the covering of litter be
applied too ſoon after, eſpecially in ſtrong
beds: for theſe require a week, a fortnight,
or more, before this is proper to be done.
Be careful therefore in theſe particulars :
for on ſpawning and covering in at a due de-
gree of warmth, depends the whole ſucceſs;
and

( 38 )
and in this you will be regulated according
to the working of the bed, as ſome will be
fit to ſpawn in two, three, or four weeks,
others not in leſs than five or fix, according
to their length, and the ſtrength of the dung.
A bed of fifteen or twenty feet long will be
ſooner ready for ſpawning than one of forty
or fifty.
After the bed has been made a fortnight or
three weeks, examine it frequently by the
trying-ſticks, which we adviſed, examining
them frequently and you will readily diſcover
the requiſite heat and proper ſtate to admit
of ſpawning.
Sometimes in very ſubſtantial beds, after
they have remained ſeemingly long enough,
and we are doubtful of an increaſe of heat,
we begin ſpawning on the lower part of the
bed firſt, which part becomes warm before
the

( 39 )
the upper; the heat naturally mounting up,
wards, and remaining hot longeſt towards
the top; beſides, by leaving the upper half
unſpawned and un-earthed, the heat from be-
low if it ſhould prove a little too ſtrong, finds
yent above; but in about a week's time
ſpawn it wholly : the lower part having a
week's advanced growth, will probably fur-
niſh a ſmall gathering ſome days before the
a
upper half.
However, in general, after having ob-
ſerved the neceſſary precautions juſt given,
take the firſt opportunity to perform the
{pawning, lofing no time for the bed to ex-
hauſt itſelf ineffe&tually without being planted.
Let the ſpawn be brought forth in a dry
day, and be careful that it is tolerably dry in
itſelf; proceed to plant it in pretty middling
lumps; not ſeparating the ſpawn, from the
lumps

(40)
lumps of dung in which it is contained; but
obſerving that the large cakes be broken into
moderate pieces. Plant the ſides of the bed
in one or other of the three following me
thods, viz. juſt within the dung, earthing
over an inch or two thick on the ſurface, and
then earthing over-or, by firft earthing the
bed an inch or two thick, then ſpawning the
earth, and adding an inch depth more over
the whole,
Each method perform as follows.
Spawning in the Dung.
The ſpawn being in moderate lumps, is to
be depoſited juſt within the dung, at regular
diſtances, in rows length-ways beginning the
firſt within half a foot of the bottom, making
ſmall apertures by gently raiſing the dung
a little with one hand, whilft with the other
you directly inſert the lump, proceeding in
the
a

( 41 )
the ſame manner with the reſt, placing them
five or fix inches diſtance in the row, and the
rows about fix or eight inches aſunder, a
little more or leſs, proportionably either to
the abundance or goodneſs of the ſpawn. If
your ſpawn be in plenty it may be planted
cloſer, and let the ſmall crumbs remaining at
laſt be laid evenly along upon the top of the
bed, which finiſhes the article of ſpawning.
Then ſmooth the ſides of the bed with the
back of the ſpade evenly, for the reception
of the caſing of earth, which ſhould be an
inch or two thick, evenly laid over every
part.
Chooſe for this purpoſe any good, light,
rich kitchen-garden earth. If the bed is
made in any of the kitchen-ground quarters,
you may uſe the adjacent earth on each fide;
or, if there is a ſhallow trench made, let the
F
excavated
a

( 42 )
excavated earth be uſed, being careful firſt
to break it fine quite down to the bottom of
the bed, that no part of it may be loft under
ground; then begin the caſing or coat, firſt
along the bottom, continuing it regularly up
the ſides of the bed, beating it lightly with
the back of the ſpade in laying it on, there-
by fixing it even and ſmooth : thus proceed
regularly over each ſide, both ends, and the
top, ſmoothing the whole in a neat manner.
,
Then place down your long, ſharp-pointed
ſticks, in the fides of the bed, for occaſi-
onally trying the internal ſtate of the heat,
after being cloſely earthed over, in order to
diſcover when to apply the covering of
Įitter, &c.
The covering of litter will be required as
foon as you diſcover that there is no danger of
burning,

( 43 )
a
burning, which probably may be in a few
days, or a week, in moderate beds; in others
two or three weeks. This you will readily
judge of by the ſticks placed in the bed, as
above, or according as the weather proves
inore or leſs favourable; heavy rains, &c.
may oblige you to cover in ſooner than you
intended, in order to preſerve the ſpawn.
a
For the purpoſe of covering, you may pro-
vide either clean ſtraw, or long dry horſe-ſtable
litter, ſufficient to lay about half a foot thick
at firſt, but gradually increaſed afterwards of
due thickneſs to defend the bed effectually
from the air, rain, and inclement
ther, and to preſerve a low kindly warmth.
wea-
As ſoon as you apprehend all danger from
heat to be over, let the bed be finally covered
up with the aforementioned dry ſtable litter,
or clean ſtraw, obſerving to ſhake the cover-
F 2
ing

( 44 )
ing on lightly with a fork, nearly a foot
thick ; at firſt, we cover only about half a
foot, increaſing it by degrees, and ſome-
times only the lower half of the bed, if we
are any ways doubtful about the after-
heat, ſo gradually advancing upwards till the
whole is covered over. It is alſo adviſeable
in Winter, and all bad weather, to ſpread
large thick garden mats all over the litter or
ſtraw, &c. both to ſecure it the better from
being diſplaced by the wind, and to ſhoot off
the rain before it penetrates too much, ſo as to
wet the litter conſiderably, or go through to the
bed, which muſt alſo be carefully looked
into after exceſſive rains, and if the litter next
the bed be wet, to be removed as ſoon as pof-
fible, and dry litter applied in its place.
Spawning

(45)
Spawning on the Surface.
IF you have plenty of ſpawn this is a
good method to have a forward and plentiful
crop, as the ſpawn may be laid pretty cloſe
all over the ſurface, and earthed over two
inches thick, as follows.
Begin the ſpawning along the bottom firſt,
as in the other method, quite down ar
the lower edge of the bed; placing the pieces
of ſpawn flat-ways upon the ſurface of the
dung, beſide one another, either cloſer or wider
aſunder, according to the plenty, proceed-
ing with a regular layer all along, a foot wide,
up the ſide of the bed, earthing this over
two inches; then another layer of ſpawn
higher up the bed, and earth it as the other,
and ſo on till finiſhed, laying the ſmall
crumbs of ſpawn remaining at laſt upon the
top of the bed, earthing it over as before di-
rected,

( 46 )
rected, ſmoothing the whole with the back
of the ſpade; and place ſome ſticks down to
diſcover the working of the bed and tempe-
the heat, as in the former method.
rature
The covering of litter or ſtraw muſt alſo
be applied in due time, when you perceive
no appearance of after-heat, obſerving the
Tame precautions and method as already ad-
viſed in the preceding article of Spawning in
the Dung
Spawning in the Earth.
This is performed by previouſly earthing
the bed, and then inſerting the pieces of
ſpawn into the earth, which often proves very
fucceſsful.
WA
The bed is firſt beat finooth with the ſpade,
then earthed all over evenly about two inches
deep:

( 47 )
a
deep; then, breaking the ſpawn into mode-
rate lumps, introduce them into the earth at
ſmall diſtances all over the bed; and, when
finiſhed, add a little fine earth over the whole
near an inch thick, ſmoothing it off with the
ſpade, as in the other beds; afterwards, ob-
ſerving the former cautions, let it be littered
in due time with ſtraw, or litter, and mats, as
before directed
General Culture of the Beds; and Produce.
The covering of litter is to remain conſtantly
on the beds, day and night, in all weathers,
only be careful to examine it after hard rains,
to remove the wet litter, as before obſerved.
During the Winter ſeaſon, in time of ſnow
or cold rains, augment the thickneſs of
the covering both of the litter and the mats.
With

( 48 )
a
With reſpect to the produce, the beds be-
gin furniſhing Muſhrooms in a month or fix
weeks after ſpawning: ſometimes indeed it
will be two or three months, but there is no
great ſucceſs to be expected when they are
long before they yield their firſt crop; a good
working bed, if well ſpawned and managed,
commonly affords plenty in fix or eight
weeks, continuing ſometimes for three months
together, riſing in numerous cluſters one
under another, covering the ſurface of the
bed, ſome appearing in embryo, ſome larger,
and others, at the ſame time, full fized; but
theſe laſt ſhould not remain long enough to be-
come large flaps, becauſe they would prove
detrimental to the adjoining ſucceſſional
plants, eſpecially when the bed is in full pro-
duction.
The Autumnal beds, if the ſpawn is in
perfection, generally produce in a ſhorter
time

(
49 )
time than thoſe made in the middle of
Winter, and Spring beds more freely than
thoſe of the hot time of Summer.
When it happens that a bed diſappoints
our expectation, if, upon examination, the
ſpawn appears in life and health, and ſmells
well, you are not to diſturb it too haſtily, for
ſometimes, after remaining dormant ſeveral
months, a bed will break forth all at once
into conſiderable crops. To aſſiſt ſuch beds
we ſometimes, in Winter eſpecially, if the
heat appears to be greatly declined, apply a
quantity of moderately warm ſtable litter over
the whole, having firſt ſome dry litter imme-
diately next the bed, then the warm litter a
foot thick over that; which often, by its
kindly warmth, vegetates into life the inac,
tive ſpawn.
G
Be

( 50 )
Be very careful to ſee that the beds remain
fufficiently defended with proper dry litter,
never expoſing them to the open air, in
cold weather eſpecially, except juſt to
gather the produce; or, occafionally, when
they have received too much wet, in order
to dry the ſurface for an hour or ſo in a fine
day; or to remove caſual wet or decayed
litter next the bed, till freſh is added in its
room ; directly covering the whole over again
of the proper thickneſs with perfectly dry
litter.
a
If after exceſſive rains, the covering
receive wet, ſo as to penetrate a conſiderable
way through, let it be as ſoon as poſſible,
turned off with a light fork, in a dry
time of the day; removing the wet litter
next the bed quite away, and directly adding
ſome dry.
Likewiſe

( 51 )
Likewiſe when the litter by long lying
on the bed decays, or becomes any way
dungy, it ſhould be removed and freſh dry
litter applied.
In very cold weather, when beds not
naturally worn-out, ſuddenly decline, it is
for want of a proper warmth, which try to
recover by applying warm dry litter, as
already mentioned.
In very dry hot weather occaſionally open
the beds then in bearing, and refreſh them
with a moderate ſprinkling of water, or a
moderate ſhower, covering them up again.
Of gathering the Muſhrooms.
Though the firſt production is ſometimes
fix or eight weeks or more after ſpawning
before
G2

(52)
before it appears, at the end of a month
begin to examine the progreſs and working
of the bed, and if ſucceſsful, you will
diſcover the running and knotting of the
ſpawn abundantly; the Muſhrooms will ſoon
after begin to advance plenteouſly all over
the bed, when they may be gathered as they
are wanted,
In proceeding to gather them, chuſe dry
weather, eſpecially during the cold ſeaſons,
and turn off the litter on one ſide firſt.
Gather thoſe above the ſize of good middling
round buttons, with a gentle twiſt of the
hand, head and ſtalk together; and be
careful, in their cluſters not to diſturb the
young ſucceſſional ones which are advancing
juft within and out of the ſurface; lay them
gently in a baſket, and ſearch quite to the
bottom of the bed; not permitting any to re-
main

( 53 )
main to become large flaps unleſs ſuch are
particularly wanted, as ſometimes they are.
As ſoon as you have finiſhed gathering,
cover the bed over again directly with the
litter, and if in Winter with mats alſo.
If the bed is in full production it will
probably afford two or three gatherings
weekly, afterward not above once a week
or fortnight, but generally examine it
once a week, as long as it is expected to
bear.
A Muſhroom-bed feldom furniſhes any
abundance after two or three months; it
has often done its beſt in ſix weeks.
When, however, the bed has totally
ceaſed to produce, it will furniſh a ſupply
of ſpawn for other beds, and the dung will
be
1

( 54 )
be excellent manure to wheel on the kitchen
ground. Be careful in pulling it to
pieces, to preſerve the freſh good lumps of
ſpawn, and lay them up dry, as formerly
directed, till they ſhall be wanted for new
beds.
F I NI S.
w

This Day is Publiſhed.
THE
Britiſh Fruit - Gardener;
-
AND
ART OF PRUNING:
COMPRISING,
The moſt approved Methods of RAISING
and PLANTING every uſeful FRUIT-TREE
and FRUIT-BEARING-SHRUB, whether for
Walls, Eſpaliers, Standards, Half-Standards,
or Dwarfs :
The true ſucceſsful Practice of PRUNING,
TRAINING, GRAFTING, BUDDING, &c.
ſo as to render them abundantly fruitful :
AND
Full Directions concerning Soils, SITUA-
TIONS, and EXPOSURES.
By JOHN ABERCROMBIE;
Author of Mawe's Every Man his own Gardener:
or Gardener's Kalendar.
N. B. Eight Editions have been printed of
the Gardener's Kalendar. From a diffidence in
the Author, it was firſt publiſhed as the pro-
duction of " Thomas Mawe, Gardener to his
Grace the Duke of Leeds, and other Garde-
ners :” though written by Mr. Abercrombie;
whoſe name has been added to that of Thomas
Mawe, in all the Editions ſince the firſt.

Young, June 19, 1926
sth. 6d



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