“The spores are very light and are easily wafted about by the gentlest breeze, so that in the fields the winds scatter the spores far and wide, and thus give an opportunity for the mushrooms to grow in fields where food and other favorable conditions are present. These spores germinate by producing a very delicate white thread which branches to form a mat of fiber like substance. Many of these little threads unite into a cord or string which is also white... This fiber like substance is known as the mycelium, though mushroom growers often speak of it as the "fiber." It can readily be seen in all good spawn.”
“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 mo...”
Fungiculture
“In all decayed dung-heaps and hot-beds, old dungy composts, and well dunged foils, not too wet, or the dung very buttery rotten, you may be successful.”
Fungiculture
“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 ...”
Fungiculture
“Let it be observed... 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 h...”
Fungiculture
“No dung answers the purpose so well as that of the horse, the dung and urine of this animal, together with the wet straw litter of the stalls in the stables, being of a hot quality, ferments, and acqu...”
Fungiculture