The Washington times., 1917-06-14
EXPERTS COMPILE
MUSHROOM LORE
Epicures Warned No Simple
Test Is Possible.
COMMON ERRORS CORRECTED
Department Of Agriculture Prints
Important Bulletin.
Have a care, ye epicures.

nave = care ye eplcure6.
There Is no simple test for distlng,
uishing between edible and poison
Gus mushrooms, according to sps-
cialists of the Department of Agri-
culture.
For example, the common belief
that any mushroom may be eaten
with safety IL the skin can be peeled
readily from the cap is quite I'M
founded. Peeling OF this character
is possible with many poisonous spe-
cies.
The presence OF insects on mush-
rooms, too, is no proof that they are
safe for human consumption. In
sects infect some OF the most pois-
onous as well as some OF the best
specie Of fungi. Again, there is a
common belief that IL poisonous
mushrooms are soaked or boiled in
salt water they will do no harm. This
is a dangerous and unfounded sup
position.
Offers Dependable Data
The only safe mushrooms to eat
are those which are gathered by q
collector who knows exactly what
he is doing. In order to make easier
the aIl-important distinction between
poisonous and non poisonous growths,
the Department OF Agriculture has
just published a new bulletin en-
titled, Some Common Edible and
Poisonous Mushrooms" Farmers Bull
letin 100.
The illustrations and text of this
bulletin should enable collectors to
avoid doubtful species. The authors
point out, however, that II IL most
important to pick only those which
II is absolutely certain are harmless.
No attempt should be made to gath
er rare forms or those species which
are not readily recognizable.
The most common edible mushroom
Is known to scientists as AEaricus
campestris. This variety is not only
cultivated commercially, but is wide
ly distributed, and Is abundant in the
wild state. The cap IL fleshy and
hemispherical in shape, but later be-
comes expanded and nearly flat. Il.
is smooth, in color white or light
brown, and the flesh Is white and
firm. The Eills are white at first,
later become pink, and finally turn
a blacklist brown. The stem Is stout,
smooth. and furnished with a ring. 4.
GIIls Distinguishing Feature.
This type OF mushroom In readily
recognized, but there is some posi-
bility that IT may be confused with
an Amanita, OF which there are sew
eral varieties. most OF them extremely
poisonous. The risk OF mistaking the
common mushroom for one OF these
may be avoided IL the fungus is not
picked until the gills are pink or turn
ing to brown. The gills OF the Aman-
tia remain white. These poisonous
fungi, however, may be distinguished
from edible mushrooms with white
gills by the presence of a veil or of
volva, a membraneous envelope or
sack which completely surrounds the
plant in the young state.
After this volva breaks away a part
remains on the top OF the cap around
its margin as scales and as q broken
cup at the base OF the stem.
Certain edible varieties do have
such volvas, but, as they are rare, and
the poisonous species common and
dangerous, the only safe plan is to
leave alone all the fungi which pos
sess this feature.
In addition to describing the varie-
ties OF edible mushrooms, the bulletin
gives a number OF recipes for their
Many people, 1t IL said,
believe that mushrooms are best
eaten with no other seasoning than
salt, pepper, and butter. The fungi
may. however, be prepared in any Of
the ways which have been found suit
able for oysters.