May Be Raised

Spawn is capable of being raised artificially. The following is the manner: -

Two barrow-loads of cow-dung, not grass-fed, one load of sheep's-dung, and one of horses', well-dried and broken so small as to pass through a coarse sieve, are well mixed, and laid in a conical heap during March, in a dry shed, being well trod, as it is formed, to check its heating excessively. This heap is covered with hot dung, four inches thick, or only with mats if the shed is warm; for here, as in all the stages of growth, the heat should only range between 55o and 60°. In about a month the heap is examined; and if the spawn has not begun to run, which is shown by indistinct white fibres pervading its texture, another covering of equal thickness to the first is applied over the old one; in another month it will indubitably make its appearance. The time varies from three to ten weeks.

May Be Increased

If a small quantity of spawn only can be collected, it may be increased by the following methods, the first of which is chiefly recommend-able on account of its simplicity and facility of adoption: -

Small pieces of the spawn may be planted a foot asunder, just beneath the surface of the mould of a cucumber-bed constructed in the spring. In about two months the surface of the spawn will assume a mouldy appearance; it may then be taken up, with the earth adhering to it, and when dried stored as before directed.

The second mode is variously practised. In the course of May a heap of the droppings of cow, sheep, and horses, or any one or two of them, without the admixture of any undecomposed straw, is to be collected, and one-fifth of road-scrapings with one-twentieth of coal-ashes added, the whole being mixed together with as much of the drainings from a dung-hill as will make it of the consistency of mortar. Being well incorporated, it is then to be spread in a dry, sheltered, airy place, on a smooth surface, and beat flat with a spade. When become of the consistency of clay, it is to be cut into slabs about eight inches square, a hole punched half through the middle of each, and piled to dry, an opening being left between every two bricks. When perfectly dry, a fragment of the spawn is to be buried in the hole previously made: it will shortly spread through the whole texture of the slabs, if kept in a warm dry place, when each may be broken into four pieces, and when quite dry laid on shelves - separate, and not in heaps, otherwise a bed will be formed for the spawn to run in.

Mr. Wales recommends the composition to consist of three parts horse-dung without litter, two of rotten tree-leaves, two of cow-dung, one of rotten tanners' bark, and one of sheep's dung, mixed to the consistency of mortar, and moulded in small frames like those used by brick-makers, six inches long, four broad, and three deep. Three holes to be made half through the bricks, an inch apart, with a blunt dibble, for the reception of the spawn. They should be put on board for the convenience of moving abroad during fine days, as they must be made perfectly dry, which they often appear to be on the outside when they are far otherwise internally. Before they are perfectly dry they require great care in handling and turning, from their aptitude to break; but in about three weeks, if dry weather, when perfectly exsiccated, they become quite firm. To pervade them with the spawn, a layer of fresh horse-litter, which has laid in a heap to sweeten as for a hotbed, must be formed, six inches thick, in a dry shed. On this a course of the bricks is to be laid, and their holes completely filled with spawn; and, as the bricks are laid in rows upon each other, the upper side of each is to be scattered over with some of the same.

The bricks are not placed so as to touch, so that the heat and steam of the dung may circulate equally and freely. The heap is to terminate with a single brick, and when completed, covered with a layer, six inches thick, of hot dung, to be reinforced with an additional three inches after a lapse of two weeks. The spawn will generally have thoroughly run through the bricks after another fortnight. If, however, upon examination this is not found to be the case, they must remain for ten days longer. The bricks being allowed to dry for a few days before they are stored, will then keep for many years.

Mr. Oldaker recommends the bricks to be made of fresh horse-droppings, mixed with short litter, to which must be added one-third of cow-dung and a small portion of earth, to cement them together. The spawn to be inserted when they are half dry.

Quantity Required

One bushel of spawn is required for a bed five feet by ten; two bushels for one double that length; and so on in proportion.