The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-20
FIELD OF MusHRooMs.
Acres of Them Discovered on the PO-
tOmac Flats.

NOnuC mus
Washington Post.
Probably the most phenomenal growth Of
edible mushrooms in the United States IS at
present thriving on the filled-in marsh land
OF the flats west of the Long Bridge Eve
or SIX acres of the land are literally nlled
up with the plant, and day after day bush
els are dried I'D and wasted because rev
who appreciate the value of the fungi know
OF the existence of this bed within such easy
access to the city.
For years has Prof. Fred J. Braendle.
noted botanist of this city, who makes a
speciality of the fungi plant, watched the
ground, and within the past two years his
yearning has been gratifed by the appear
ance of a remarkable crop of fungi. Few
not versed In the study OF this article on
diet appreciate the enormous spread OF the
plant when once It secures a foothoid, but
Professor Braendle predicts that within two
or three years the whole flats VIII De over
grown. Even since last April the crop has
increased a thousand fold, and so long as
the ground remains free from frost the
fungi will continue to thrive and perish.
There are eight or more different species
already in root on the grounds, ana some
of these are considered the Tarest in exist
ence In fact, there is one kind found on
the grounds which is considered by Prof.
Braendle the finest he has tasted They are
identical with the BlewitZ, famed as one or
the choicest morsels in England. THOUSANDS
they decay early.
The attention Of prominent botanists
throughout the country has been drawn to,
ward the fungi crop Of Washington and
the vicinity, but few people are as yet in
formed as to the abundance close at hand.
Professor Braendle has been making
study of the crop and by descriptions and IL
Illustrations he has brought to his aid PROF.
Charles II. Peck, of Albany; Prof. G; g.
Lloyd, of Cincinnati, and other scientists
interested in the subject. Professor Peck is
considered the foremost botanist in the mat
ter of fungi in the country, and his extern
sive experience may be CLEANED from the
fact that he has an index of $1,000 species
of the plant Professor Lloyd is of the firm
of Lloyd Brothers, who operate the we'll
known natural library
cinnati, where there are nearly 1850 Jars
of the larger fungi in store. Only the f1eshy
species are preserved in alcohol.
1t is rather strange occurrence that
this quantity of fungi has grown up with
in sucn> easy access of the city, practlcaa1ly
without the knowledge of any one me
grounds lie but a short distance from what
might be termed the headquarters OF the
national plant industry-the Agricultural De-
partment But none of the specialists con-
nected with the government bureau nave
been aware of this plant phenomenon right
Vestigation by Professor Braendle.
The land whereon me present grown
exists is composed of soil dredged from the
bottom of the river, and is rich in the ex-
treme. The land has also had an abundance
of moisture. Years ago the marsh lanos
were some distance from the shore, but the
reclamation of the Potomac flats has made
the land comparatively high A growth OF
weeds soon sprung UP on the entlre da 5i3l,
and bushes and dwarfed trees also readily
took root. The tall meadow grass appeared
in abundance within a short time. ,,oa
1t is in this place thar the luhSus mp nap
1t could not be brought out IN greater
abundance than now prevails. The field lies
toward the northern end OF the point ah9
hut q short distance from the channel. Amid
the old weeds and other growth the famlHar
plant can be seen, and 1T stretches OUT LOT
acres in every direction. 1t makes a pretty
sight, and the scene could not De app 1t
ciated except by those who have visited the
immense field where the plants grow IN the
untiIIed soil. one of the species which Is
quite common is a plant which needs cultl-
Walton and can be found only IN hotnouses,
where 1T receives attention. 1HIS - ING
There are several thousand ditferent
species of plants belonging 10 the dul -
groun which are known by size, color or
form but people generally are, under the
impression that there are but two SPECIES,
think tI1I that there is but one edible .mush,
room. that which is pink under the gus, ana
the rest of the family are set down as toau-
snecies known as coprinus comatus IS
the most plentiful in the field on the hats.
The can or pileus is not as expanded as IN
the ordinary species The clitocybe multi
ceps also grows in immense quanutIs9S rs
groups of this species are reInaTha n5,a CIV
| different stems has already neen gatneleu.
The psalliota campestric, lepiota cretacens
ana ndff a ba1la also ga5i grow in abundance
But the lepiota naucina, or Wnl5e iep neius
which is very numerous ,s sn sSncies WSic6
| is greatly resembled by the amamta pniaal-
| 1oides better known as the deadly amaIlIa.
| rT1a noison plant grows in woods, while the
! others are found only in open places, put
| both anpear in September and OctoDer.
! Great care should be exercised In gathering
| the lepiota naucina, especially IN lawns anu anu
| folds bordering on woods. The base OF the
stem Of the poison plant rests in cup-nike
| envelona called the Volva, and known as tne
| poison cup. Therefore, in collecIing Specs
| resembling this the plant shouId not Dt
| nicked by simply taking hold OF Ihe CAP oue
| the stem should be carefully aug up, , III
| some specinens the gills are decldedly PINK,
Sic tha edible plants and sometimes the
| stems are nearly three inches IN the grouuHto,
| There are other species or the aInanlLa
which grow in various sections OF the couh-
| try. -. 49, F,,ngi Ga +he
rapidity with which they grow anu . nhew +I
| decay With good rain ana moisture s TIE
whole field can be picked but the spGne u Ia
| ubinh drons 10 the ground and quickly taxes
| root brings forth a crop in Gay OF Two.
| Within the space of a few hours the plants
| have heen known to expand TO an enormous
| size hut they should be gathered at d Ger
| tain time. so as not to allow them 70 out-
| grow their tenderness. They decay dlso III
| a short period. = 44,z it,, 81
| Professor Braendle lives in TINS CITY, AT
| No 1917 N street northwest, ana ms rs s STUDY
| now is fairly piled with fungi OF ull a4I
| snecies in their various stages OF groWtt1Hi.
T1ee eoian+ist has been experimenting with
| +ha fungi on the Potomac rats anu mas
snn+ MANY specimens to scientists IN va
| rions parts of the country; he VlsltS, tne
Mace regularly, and is familiar with al tle
| species.