==Spawning and After-management.==—­Break each cake of spawn into eight or ten pieces, and force every piece gently a little way into the manure at regular intervals of six to nine inches all over the bed, closing the manure over and round each piece of spawn.  The practice of inserting spawn by means of the dibber is to be strongly condemned, for it leaves smooth, hollow spaces which arrest the mycelium; and very small pieces of spawn should be avoided because they generally result in small Mushrooms.  Immediately the spawning is completed, a thick and even covering of clean straw or litter of some kind should be laid over the bed, secured from wind by canvas, mats, hurdles, or in some other way.  From good spawn the films of mycelium will begin to extend within a week.  In the contrary case an examination of the pieces will show that they have become darker than when put into the bed, which means that they have perished.  Then the question will arise as to whether the bed or the spawn is at fault, and the former must either be spawned again or broken up.  Supposing the spawn to show signs of vitality, the time has come for covering the bed with a layer of rather moist soil, pressed lightly but firmly on to the manure with the spade or fork, so that the earth will not slip down.  At once restore the covering of litter, &c., and wait patiently for about seven or eight weeks for the crop.  Meanwhile the plunging thermometer ought to be consulted daily.  Until the Mushrooms appear the instrument should not indicate less than 60 deg., and while in bearing not less than 55 deg..  Experience proves that the most violent alternations of temperature may be combated by regulating the thickness of the covering.  Although it may possibly be necessary to resort to eighteen inches of litter or more during hard frost or the prevalence of a cutting east wind, a much thinner covering will suffice in milder weather.

Should the temperature of the bed, through inexperience in the management of it, sink below the point at which Mushrooms can grow, we advise the exercise of a little patience.  We have known several instances of beds made in autumn producing no crop at the expected time, but which have borne fairly in the following spring or summer.  But in the event of the first effort failing outright there is no great loss.  The manure, which is the most costly item, will still be available for the garden, and an observant man will pretty well understand in what respect he must amend his course of procedure.

==Water.==—­Moisture is of great consequence, for a dry Mushroom bed will soon be barren also; but whenever water is given it must be applied tepid and from a fine rose.  To slop cold water over a Mushroom bed is about as reasonable a procedure as putting ice into hot soup.  Water is best administered in the afternoon of a genial day, and should be sufficient to saturate the bed.  Immediately it is done the covering of litter and canvas must be promptly restored to prevent the temperature from being seriously lowered by rapid evaporation.  A couple of stakes driven from the crown to the bottom of the bed at the time of making up the heap are useful as indicators of moisture, and may occasionally be drawn out and examined.