Of collecting the Spawn.
AFTER the foregoing strictures on the general nature, growth, generation and propagation of the Mushroom, we proceed to explain the necessary preparation for its culture in gardens, by the following directions concerning 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 soil in numerous white stringy fibres, often of a cob-web-like form, and if of the true sort, discovering a strong smell of the Mushroom. A due quantity should always be provided previous to making the bed, in order that you may more 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 four bushels will be requisite, and so in proportion.
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 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 Mushroom beds likewise which have been composed of the same kind of warm dung, when decayed or worn out, and pulled to pieces, generally afford good spawn, which should be carefully preserved till wanted.
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 horses are constantly employed under cover in turning mills; and many of the great London breweries, tan-yards, and large manufactories, 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 dung, 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 stragling Mushrooms are seen to rise naturally in Autumn, there you may be sure to find spawn.
Lastly it may be procured in the meadows and orher 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: however, 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 collected for use before it is injured and weakened 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 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 wheelbarrow, 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 sacks 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 should be particularly cautious to reject spurious or false spawn; for there is a degenerated variety, called white-cup, which produces a sort of Mushroom with a small thin white head without any fleshy part, and generally rises up suddenly in the beds. This sort is entirely useless, and often disappoints the gardener. It is distinguishable generally by its great abundance all over the lumps, by its very fine silky cobwebby nature, and its exceeding white hoary-like appearance; it has little or no substance, and emits but a very faint smell of the Mushroom.
About London, where great quantities of Mushrooms are raised for the markets, and consequently vast supplies of spawn are annually required, there are experienced Mushroom-men, who, at the proper season, go about collecting, both in town and country, the true sort, which they buy commonly from about half a crown to five or six shillings per bushel, according to its goodness or plenty. In very cold wet seasons it is both bad and scarce; and dear in proportion.
Good spawn may also be purchased occasionally of the kitchen-gardeners in the neighbourhood of London, many of whom have extensive Mushroom-beds, as well as common 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 wet, spread them 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.