A Local Industry.

Feilding Star, Volume IV, Issue 1, 12 June 1883, Page 2

A Local Industry.

There are two articles largely produced [ in this district without cultivation and without any attention beyond the gathering and preparing for the market. Wo refer to the fungus and the dandelion. The former grows upon partly decayed logs ef timber, principally tawa, and the gather— ! ing of which the Maoris as welt as many I pakehas have for some time past found jto be very remunerative. This is ©ne of | the numerous family of fungi, nany of which are said to form a very delicious and nourishing article of food. Onr native fungus is exported in large quantities to the Celestial Empire, the •* Heathen Chinee" appearing to far more highly appreciate its qualities tha* any of the more civiliaed inhabitants ef the globe. A few months ago, however, ft local demand for the root ef the dandelion sprung np, and many, especially young people, are now making a paying thing of the gathering of these roots, and about a quarter of a ton of them is weekly forwarded to Wellington, wheie they are manufactured into coffee. This article is largely used as a beverage, and is highly recommended by Medical anI thorities for remedying and warding ofi many biliary, nervous, and dyspeptic affections. The beverage itself is a> pleasant one, and scarcely distinguish- ! able from good . ordinary coffee. One great advantage gained from ihe gathering of these roots is that a great pest of the gardens is being got rid of, while the demand for them is praetieelly nnlimited, as in addition to their being made into this excellent beverage, taraxaeu**, its extract, as is well-known, is somewhat extensively used in preparation ef Medicine.