Evening star., 1897-06-12
FAIRY RINGS,
A Desirable Species OF Mushroom IL
lie Found About washfnrtou

- spSeAeS Oh mushroom tn
re FoUnd About Washington.
| Written Cor The Evening Star
Several species of mushrooms grow In
such fashion our lawns and meadows
that they often form regular and almost
perfect rings or circles. These are gener-
ally Called fairy rings" but the term
should only be applied to the rings of one
particular species. known to botanists as
Marasmius Oreades. To suit. however our
own purpose We shall name these fungi
| fairy caps as to their form, and fairy
| bread as to their substance, fer no dainty
| lips of OUR modern fairies should despsse the
delicate morsel these plants offer US either
in their natural state when prepared
Tor the table by an expert hand The little
Mushrooms of the fairy tribe deserve a great
deal more attention than they have receiy-
ed in the past. Their peculiar habits
their pleasing appearance and great use
fulness as delicate food, should make
them our favorites and proteges
We have also the opportunity of obsery-
ing number OF fairy rings in own
beautiful city. Many private and public
parks are decorated with them The great
circle on the Mall and the White House
grounds have many of these. though they
might be obliierated for time.
senator Morrill, seems to have been par
ticularly favored by the fairies. They have
planted not less than three rings on the
lawn in front of his residence on Thomas
Circle. Persistent little plants they are,
these fairy caps. Once they have a foot
hold on a favorable spot they will stav
for years, enlarging their circle with each
new CROP Their presence is rather detri-
mental TO the sod and grass will not thrive
inside such rings. The process by which
fairy caps manage to place themselves. I'm
spite of numerous obstacles, In circle fash
Ion can not be satisfactorily explained
mere. but undoubtedly the radiating root
lets are the principal factor in producing
this little wonder of nature.
II requires but little discrimination to
Identity any single fungus of the fairy
lrioe. we might almost say a blind man
can readily distinguish it from the other
common lot of small fungi such as lawn
nails. ink drippers and extmguishers ALI
with delicate thin stems. In the fairy CAPS
tne stem Is also thin, but strong fibrous
often twisted, and The lower part hairy and
almost woody. In pulling a cap from the
ground. the root stalk comes always out
and all that may be attached TO 1t. Groups
OF from three to five frequently grow to-
gether. and are solidly attached to each
other at the base of the stem. The color
OF the cap is not unlike chamois leather or
Cntanned kid the underside and upper part
OF stem are nearly of tho same color as the
cap. II being whlte-sporcd fungus, the
undermining does not turn dark or black
but remains light brown. What entities
these mushrooms mere than any other spe-
cies to the name Of fairy caps is their un-
usual faculty of revlving and regaining al
most their original freshness whenever they
are placed by the stem in water, and also
owing to their preservative qualities, an
they remain in good condition indefinitely
when kept in a dry place. To persuade
yourself that fairy bread Is really sweet
and pleasant, just taste a small piece Of tt
raw. and you will soon learn that 1t is good
and wholesome as well. a bunch Of tteso
plants give more asre cable flavor to meat
sauce than do the French champIgnons. II
you are so fortunate as to find enough OF
them to make a meal q very dainty dish
can be made by frying them and serving
them on toast. The caps should be cut on
from the stems, then thoroughly rinsed
and be kept In salted water for two hours.
after which they are in a condition to be
prepared for the feast of modern fairies
and other mortals. FRED J. BRAENDLE.