El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-09-16

hunter is most Vigilant now to secure
the greatest possible quantity Of the
small fungi knobs ana buttons which
may bring him goodly sum from the
eager market man. Sometimes the
hunter is only a farmer boy, who may
secure more money. this month, from
the mushrooms he finds in the fields
as he drives the COWS to pasture, than
from any other resource throughout
/ the summer However, in gathering
mushrooms great care should be taken
to avoid the poisonous species, known
as "toadstOols."
cases of mushroom poisoning, the pop
ularity OF this fungi food has multiplied
in the United States during the past
ten years. The mushroom now bids
7 fair TO become a common article Of
food rather than a luxury The market
demand for it is heavier than ever
before. In addition, thousands of fam
lies are procuring mushrooms for their
own use, either raising them from
spawn or gathering them fresh in the
fields and woodlands. or perhaps in
their own yards. More than seven
hundred species of edible mushrooms
have been discovered in this country
within a half century. The number OF
additional species of poisonous fungi
of similar appearance is comparatively
small.
The United States government is
making every possible effort to pro-
tect the public from the dangers of
mushroom poisoning. A Theological
exchange is maintained by the bureau
of agriculture for this purpose. Every
day quantities Of mushrooms are be-
ing sent in from different parts Of the
country to be tested by government
experts. The rush is always greatest
in this exchange after prolonged
spell Tc
ducive to the development of wild
mushrooms. The experts in charge
Of the exchange can assure themselves
by a glance as to the poisonous quality
Of a specimen. This is not sufficient
te st,hoWever. Tasting is the only real
test and only an expert can taste I'M
known mushrooms with safety. The
OIflcla1 mushroom faster OF the United
States is Mrs. Patterson Of the Myco-
logical exchange, who is sometimes
called the Government Mushroom WO-
man" Mrs Patterson has tested all
of the more important fungi of mush-
room type, native to this country, as
well as many specimens sent her from
foreign countries Her decision as TO
the edibility of a mushroom is re-
garded as final
Takes Great Risks.
Mushroom tasting is an art that can
be mastered only by long experience.
1t requires courage and patience. The
1lrSt rule is never to swallow the sa.-
Iva when tasting mushrooms Always
have water thoroughly to rinse the
mouth if there is a question as to the
edibilitv of mushroom The labora,-
tory rule rinse every receptacle seven
times" is especially applicable to the
mushroom faster The OdOr is also
a. test. 1t is said that the taste of the
most deadly mushroom may be rather
pleasant but the odor is unmistaka Die
to anyone who has once recognized
It
Starts a Fad; Becomes n Craze.
The danger of purchasing mushrooms
from irresponsible persons, as well as
the lrregularIty and inadequacy of the
supply to meet the growing demand.
developed the cultivation of mush-
rooms as a trade in this country A
few years ago, the mushroom demand
was regarded somewhat as a fad It
developed craze of get rich quick
schemes which swept over the country.
Spectators advertised extensively that
secure handsome income by growing
mushrooms in a cellar or upon any
vacant spot This too without inter-
ference with other OCCUPATIONS Guide
were sold at prices ranging from $500
up, ana the investors were guaranteed
a market at fabulous prices for all of
the mushrooms they could raise.
Thousands of people failed to reap
the rich rewards thus promised and
raising mushrooms is no longer re-
garded as a royal road to wealth.
An increasing number of people are
growing mushrooms each year, but they
are making careful study and prepara-
tons and have some small capital TO
start They do not receive even dol
lar a pound for their produce They
are satisfied If they average half that
Yet is is rapidly becoming recognized
as paying business
France Leads.
France Las the best DEVELOPED mush-
room trade of the world For at least
three centuries, mushrooms have been
an important product in the Partisan
market Paintings Of market scenes
by old masters in the sixteenth cent
ury frequently show a basket Of mush-
rooms in the foreground, thus indi-
eating their popularity as a food even
then- Ihey We're cultivated in caves
and in catacOmbs under Paris and
other French cities. In 1870 a large
cave was reported near Merry which
contained II miles of mushroom beds
and yielded over 5000 pounds of mush-
rooms annually The quantity of mush-
rooms sold in the Paris markets now
approximates 10000 pounds each year.
About third of these are for immed-
late consumption. The balance are
preserved and largely exported
American Product Best.
The United States depends largely
upon imported French mushrooms
when better quality could be produced
at home In Italy, Germany, Russia
and other parts of Europe. mushrooms
are esteemed as food In England they
are cultivated extensively for home
consumption and are also preserved
and exported in large Quantities The
English mushroom catsup is a delicacy
recognized over the civilized world.
In China and Japan, the mushroom
has been known for many years. It !
has been included in the "Anti-Famine
Herbal" recently prepared by the
chinese Government, containing de-
scriptions and illustrations OF plants
available for food Wher the ordinary
supply failss
Few Are Poisoned.
Despite official caution, thousand Of !
American people are enjoying the flaw
or of mushrooms which they gather
wild and the number who have suffered
from poisoning is exceedingly small. /
The Agaricus campestris is the Scientif- !
ic name of the common mushroom
which can be found upon almost every !
field and pasture land It is almost /
always absolutely harmless. A Wash (
ington lawyer who learned to eat /
while a boy upon his /
fathers farm, claims that he could 4
never be deceived by it. For several /
years he and his small son have had I
a regular route which they cover each I
week along some suburban roads
They arr freOuentlv able 10 hrine in &