The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1942-09-24

food it is our grateful privilege to
use it. The search for mushrooms
from early spring to late autumn is
always rewarding, no matter where
one might go.
The squirrel season comes in next
week 1t is going to be fun to pick up
q grey squirrel and with a mess of
mushrooms found in the same woods,
bring home and place in the pot. 1t is
most likely that the mushrooms found
during the squirrel season are the
kind that add the ideal flavor to the
meat and that no other variety Of
mushrooms could provide the flavor
with such delicate eXactness.
Certainly. if Frederick Gustavus
Skinner, who raved so much about the
native, wild food of Garrett county
in 1884, were here now he would
want to partake Of such meal. One
can be sure that he could tell us some
thing about the use of cray-fsh, ma
tive mint and cranberry. And there
are host of other edible items that
we through our superstition and igno-
rance turn up our nose Added to this
is our Woeful ignorance Of the iden-
tity and use Of herbs. We are per
haps. so far as knowledge Of nature
is concerned not as intelligent as the
savage.
If any person who reads this arti-
Gle would feel inclined to go with me
on an excursion, please notify The
Republican. | will be glad to make a
date. If others would like to find out
for themselves I would advise first
procuring the pamphlet entitled
"Some Common Mushrooms and How
to Know Them by Vera X. Charles,
published by the U. S. Department of
Agriculture, 1881, circular No. 143.
Under no circumstances eat mush-
rooms until they have been identified.
It must be borne in mind that the
poisonous variety, even though not so
numerous, are nearly always found
in close proximity, yes, even in com
pany, with the edible mushrooms.
There is much comfort in knowing,
after careful study, how to distin-
guesh the evil from the good
1t is our intention to preserve by
canning all we can find. 1t is thrifty
because the only cost is the jar. 1t is
accepting the stretched-out hand Of
nature, overlooking with delicious
food, who is saying to each Of us in
this land Of plenty. Come and get
it."
People Of Athens, You were plum
dcred by the Nazis, and your men,
women and children dropped in the
streets. For you, there was no food!
What would you say to us, the people
Of Garrett county, if you knew that
within our own borders there was
more than enough food to keep you
alive without touching our own sup
ply? Yes, here in the county, grow
ing in abundant wildness, there was
enough food for our starving neigh
bors across the sea. Nature is cX-
tremeIy bountiful. 1t is man through
his selfishness and ignorance and not
his inability to conserve and equally
distribute food to all people Of the
earth that is gradually turning all Of
nature into desolation. Could famine
come to us 1t always comes, sooner
or later, to the improvident, as we'll
as to the innocent.
These days should make each Of us
seriously plan how we may conserve
the resources we already have The
farmer can raise much greater va
riety Of foods, herbs and materials
for clothing. His government is ready
to assist. There is a new happiness
to be found where there are people Of
the soil learning by degrees its man
fold uses and resources. The mush-
room has been a most valuable object
lesson. 1t is a very lowly plant, but
it has taught me a new hope in the
providence and abundance Of nature
There are many uneXpIored secrets in
its treasure-house. Let us go to her
with faith, rather than taboo and
fear. She will always respond with
the same words, Come and get it.