mon Mushroom was first
brought under the control of man.

"The seeds of the Common Mushroom, in falling from the gills when ripe,
are no doubt wafted by the wind, and become attached to the stems and
leaves of grasses and other herbage; and notwithstanding they are eaten
by such animals as the horse, deer, and sheep, pass through their
intestines without undergoing any material change in their vegetative
existence: and hence, in the dung of these animals, when placed
together, and kept moderately dry, and brought to a slight state of
fermentation, we discover the first stage of the existence of the future
brood of mushrooms. This is practically called 'spawn,' and consists of
a white, fibrous substance, running like broken threads through the mass
of dung, which appears to be its only and proper _nidus_."--_M'Int._ It
is prepared for use as follows:--

"In June and July, take any quantity of fresh horse-droppings,--the more
dry and high-fed the better,--mixed with short litter, one-third of
cow's dung, and a good portion of mould of a loamy nature; cement them
well together, and mash the whole into a thin compost, and spread it on
the floor of an open shed, to remain until it becomes firm enough to be
formed into flat, square bricks; which done, set them on an edge, and
frequently turn them till half dry; then, with a dibble, make two or
three holes in each brick, and insert in each hole a piece of good old
spawn about the size of a common walnut. The bricks should then be left
till they are dry. This being completed, level the surface of a piece of
ground, under cover, three feet wide, and of sufficient length to
receive the bricks; on which lay a bottom of dry horse-dung six inches
thick; then form a pile by placing the bricks in rows one upon another,
with the spawn-side uppermost, till the pile is three feet high; next
cover it with a small portion of warm horse-dung, sufficient in
quantity to diffuse a gentle glow of heat through the whole. When the
spawn has spread itself through every part of the bricks, the process is
ended, and the bricks may then be laid up in a dry place for use.
Mushroom-spawn thus made will preserve its vegetative power many years,
if well dried before it is laid up; but, if moist, it will grow, and
exhaust itself."--_Trans._

The next step to be taken is the formation of the bed; in the
preparation of which, no dung answers so well as that of the horse, when
taken fresh from the stable: