Part 4

Keep the surface moist but never soak the beds.

Never cover the bed with earth until it has been spawned 10 days or two weeks, or the temperature of the manure may rise sufficiently to injure the spawn.

Never purchase spawn because it is cheap, neither be led into paying extravagant prices through misleading advertisements.

If any insect pest makes appearance or any diseased condition arises, write the United States Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C., for information.

Spawn should be as fresh as it is possible to obtain it, should be kept in a cool dry place till used. Improper storage will damage it in a comparatively short time.

Imported brands of spawn are apt to be old and often worthless.

Transcriber’s Note:

Words and phrases in italics are surrounded by underscores, like this. Those in bold are surrounded by equal signs, =like this=.