Abstract: Formaldehyde sodium bisulfite is employed as a fungicide, pesticide and disinfectant. It is particularly useful in mushroom growing houses.

Abstract: An improved method for making composts, aerating composts, growing mushroom spawn, generating methane gas and filling conveyors in the mushroom-growing industry is provided using ribbon-type mixers. The mixers may be of the double-ribbon type for purely mixing operations and of the single-ribbon type for operations wherein it is primarily desired to move the material from one place to another. All of the mixers are equipped to operate under pressure.

Abstract: A synthetic casing for mushroom beds is provided by a formulation consisting of a water absorptive material selected from paper plant waste, spent mushroom compost and cottonseed hulls; the water absorptive material is mixed with activated carbon, water and limestone.

Abstract: A synthetic casing for mushroom beds in order to grow mushrooms is provided by a formulation consisting of a water absorptive material such as shredded newspaper, powdered activated carbon, water, limestone and gypsum.

Abstract: A method and equipment to implement said method for the production of microbes on a solid or liquid substrate, particularly mushroom mycelium growing on a grain substrate, the latter known as "mushroom spawn", are provided wherein the spawn is grown in a transparent, heat sterilizable plastic bag with a temporary screw-on closure thereon. The finished spawn is prepared for market merely by removing the reusable temporary closure and closing the top of the plastic bag container.