The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-25
FOODS OF THE WOODS" AGAIN
Another Mushroom Lover Takes Issue
with Former Correspondent.
he sdItor 81 he IndIanapolIs journal:

To the Editor OF the indianapolis Journals
Under this title Mrs. S. T. Rorer wrote an
article for the August Ladies' Home Jour-
nal in which she told in very entertain
ing way of twelve edible varieties of mush-
rooms and how to cook them. Some one
who assumes to sign "Botanist," wrote an
article under the same title which appeared
in the Indianapolis Journal of Sept. 4, in
which he goes into very reckless criticism
of Mrs Rorer. The points attempted in
their order are: First, that unless Mrs
Rorer had seen the advance sheets of DR..
Farlow's book (soon to be published) she
could not have known enough to write cor
rectly upon the subject. He says her article
is evidence that she did not see these adj
vance sheets. He then sets out to tell US
that the only way to identify mushrooms
is by oral tradition. Next, we are told that
Mrs. Rorer has not done much mushroom
collecting, as evidenced by the title of her
article, "Botanist'' claiming that most Of the
best edible fungi instead of being found in
the woods are found on lawns and pastures
or other open ground. Next is questioned
the propriety of Mrs Rorer's claim that
the lepiota procera is the queen of mush-
rooms, the writer comparing it to stewed
blankets. Then she is criticised for not mem
tioning agaricus campestris or coprinus
comatus. Then she is found fault with for
recommending the rusSula and boletuS fam
flies. Then "Botanist" assumes that russua
emetica usually makes people sick, which
he learns from oral tradition. This reminds
me of the old tradition about tomatoes and
IS just as well founded. Next is questioned
the fact that Mrs Rorer states that only
one species is really poisonous. Next is the
very learned statement that we have thirty
five or forty species in this country, only
six or seven of which are generally consid-
cred good eating.
and he spells it with two is does not be-
long to the mushroom family, winding up
the column with the precautiOn that 1t
would be better to leave all fungi alone I'M
less one could depend upon some friend
who has had large experience in such
things.
DIR. Farlow is a botanst, not a mycologist.
IN the nine articles of direction he gave
for the collection of edible fungi in United
and in his other publications he has COM
mitted serious blunders which could only
arise from ignorance. He is undoubtedly an
excellent botanist but not a mycologist.
Most botanists in writing of edible fungi ac-
cept what other authors have said without
making the tests themselves. Mrs. ROrer' $
article is all right. She has been studying
mushrooms for years and does not depend
on toadstool knowledge being hereditary or
upon oral traditions relating to we charms
tected. She very carefully Classics each
new variety of toadstool she comes across
of the Woods she would naturally not dis
cuss the mushrooms which grow in the
meadows. but tits well known by any Ct
those who have pursued the subject of toad
stools to any length that the greater num-
Der Of varieties, by far the better favored
and by far the greater In quantity are found
in the woods Lepiota procerus, is, from my
own experience, one of the most delicious
things | have eaten. and It has been sug-
gested that IL ''Botanist' thinks it no better
than a stewed blanket he has more skill in
cooking blankets than toadstools. For one
who processes knowledge of mycology to
assert that the Morel does not belong to the
mushroom family rather discredits all the
rest that Botanist has said, and so far as
the thirty-fve or forty species that grow in
this country are concerned. with not over
good eating, it might be valuable informa-
ton to him to know that Captain Charles
McIlvaine, the worlds authority on edible
toadstools. will soon issue book entitled
Five Hundred Toadstools and How to
Cook Them" The work is a result of TWEEN
ty years of experience, during which time
Captain McIlvaine has eaten over five hun
bred and fifty species This book will be
the classification and Identification of the
toadstools that grow in the United States.
In the last five years the interest in toad
stools has grown very fast and now in every
ho one finds few fa%iss who EAR
and who are rapidly increasing their 1t
of good things to eat as they become
acquainted with the different species. The
amanita family is the only one containing
any species that are dangerously poisonous.
Captain Mcllvaine has discovered the anti
dote for the alkaloid poison of the amanita
and the doctors the country over will soon
understand the treatment, of this poison,
and be prepared to rescue those who persist
in eating those of the amanita containing
4 FRIEND OF ToADSTooLS.