How to know Mushrooms.

Manawatu Herald, 22 April 1893, Page 2

How to know Mushrooms.

As the season is now on for, finding thesa fungi, we clip from the Australian Agriculturist tike method ±. by which the edible may' 1 Be distinguished from the poisonus mushroom :— As there' are several 'kinds of poisonous fungi which very closely resemble the eatable ninshroom, no one should venture to make use of. an unfamiliar variety. A reliable tesfr-for distinguishing the eatable varieties from the poisonpus is to sprinkle salt on the spongy part, which will turn yellow if a ._ poisonous growth.' Many" other rules are given to aid '0e inexperienced in selecting 'inushrooms, such as stirring with a silve£ spoon, which will assume a dark" Mnge if they are unfit to eat, or judging bv the unpleasant odour. The old negro cooks ot the South were- always suspicous of the true nature of the^ mushroom stew until assured of its harmless qualities by dropping a peeled white onion into the saucepan, which turned black if any., poisonous fungi were present. A very safe guide in the matter is the appearance of the mushroom, which, when frejjalyv grown, is smooth on top, while the under part is of a light red or flesh color. /A^ ' the plant inoreases in size Jpid aget the top changes in color to*' a barker liue, and is a brownish red underneath. The skin of the edible mushrQoni peels off yory readily leayittg the top