The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-07-15
Edible Fungi.

Very few specimens of fungi are popu-
larIy recognized as being edible. while
nrein7ice in some cases, and fear OF
noison in others. will always prevent
additions to the small number nov used
as food Great caution is undoubtedly
r,-o,,er in the essay of the untried
sneeiee but prejudice and ignorance
sbould not stand in the way and prevent
tbe uss Of the many esculent species
which are allowed to rot IN untold
thousands. Science will no doubt dissi-
pate these fears and preiudices, snd
make ts our food crop large and cheap
addition. -.
In Great Britain thousands OF people.
particularly of the lower classes VII II
cd no Mushroom except that known as
sai5 ronshroom. while IN Italy and
Hungary a strong prejudice exists
ooainst this same species. This prelu-
dioe crises from the fact that other fungi
are confounded with it through lgnor-
ance and fatal accidents sometimes
occnr which would be prevented by ob-
sorvin0 that the true field mushroom
alvavs has purple spores, gills at nrst
- ,,iyir color and sfterward of purple.
TermaDent ring or collar around the
stenn and that It is never tOund IA
woods. its home always being on the
open plains or commons.
The meadow mushroom grows IN low
land pastures, and has stronger naFof
than that of the fields. In England u
is sold In great quantities snd Is thsIe
known az the "horse mushroom DC
cause of the enormous size II attalns, =
single specimen sometimes Eeis liDs
fourteen pounds. In ADDITION 20 .., snsss
two there are fOrty-nine other varienes
~ r,usbroofn that are known 10 bot
aDists as eseulent and excellent. some o.
them attaining a diameter OF iourteen
inches. others five or six inches, ana
another. ssthe nail fungus" scarcely sA-
eeedine one inch Ia diameter.
Hills. plains, valleys, fields Rnd pas
tures All over the world are as alive with
tbase nutritious fungi as the soil OF
Nebraska is with grasEhoppers. hlil-
lions of tons Of them are allowed 10 rot
where they spring mp, simply because
iRuoranee or fear prevents their utliiza-
| ton as food. II is trne that the dls-
/ tinctions between the edible mushroom
and some of its unpleasant cousins can
not be easily understood by any ,t Dut
botanists, and yet this dliheuiiy mlsas .ls
] be materially obviated If botanic writer's
wouId describe the distinctions IN words
/ that could be populeriy understood, or
/ that At least. may be found in diction-
aries. The botanical nomenclature may
/ be as good as It iB ingenious, but e
/ non. botanists It is as incomprehenslble
as the inscription or the EiRin marbles:
4 Let Il be preserved for bOckEormss II
/ need must, but let It be also translated
/ for common use
/ Among the remarkable esculents ot
/ this class may be mentioned the 8 beef
steak fungus" It is juicy and heehy'
aud its sections resemble beef IN aFo-
/ pearance. DR.. Bedham, student Of
/ fungi, found one Of them i've feet ~
/ circumference and weighing eigni
pounds. and another was found By
DR.. Graves, nearly twenty feet IN CIR
/ conference and Weighing thirty pounds.
/ It grows in parts Of Germany where 4
ie sliced and eaten with salad, and i q
bighlv esteemed as uutFitious food. a
species Of puff ball. botsnieaily known
as Iyooperoion gigdHfeltHa, when youne
is Of q cream like consisteuce ana 40
excellent addition to the breakfast
menu. A single one Is large enough q
fe d ten or twelve persons, and rai.ae
uembsFs Of the spesies are good stio-
stitute for trufiies. a specimen men
tened in the Gardeners Chronicle
weighed ten pounds and vas three fsei
four inches in circumference, -fSosts
] more Stsa.