For mechanical emptying of a substrate for fungal cultivation into containers in such a way that optimum conditions result both for its introduction and storage, and transport which is as uncomplicated and gentle as possible is ensured, the substrate is added loose to the supply wheel of a ram-type press and pushed by its ram into a stiffened sack-like container placed in front of the press nozzle. This process is carried out in a device having a wide filling funnel, which serves for the relatively loose uptake of the substrate and in which is situated a slowly rotating conveyor wheel which conveys the detected substrate into a press channel, from where it passes into the outlet opening of the filling funnel and is pushed into a substrate container in compressed state by a ram. The containers used are rectangular, plastic-lined square baskets consisting of angular and flat sections, which can be provided with feet.
