The Common Mushroom

No. 869. - When the common Mushroom first appears it has a white color, is of a roundish button-like form, and apparently rests on the surface of the ground. When fully developed the stem is solid and two inches in height, and its cap measures from one to four inches in diameter, changing to a brownish color when old and becoming tough and fleshy. It is readily distinguished when of medium size, by its fine pink or flesh-colored gills and pleasant odor. When old, the gills become of a chocolate color and it is then liable to be confounded with other kinds of a dubious quality. However, the species which resemble it most is slimy to the touch and is devoid of its fine odor, having rather a disagreeable smell. The noxious kinds always grow in woods or on the margin of woods, while the wholesome Mushroom springs up chiefly in open pastures, and should be gathered only in such places when young and tender. The Mushroom produces no real seed, but instead of it has a white fibrous substance in broken threads, called spawn, which is preserved in horse manure, being pressed in the shape of bricks. It will preserve its vitality for years when prepared in this manner

Agaricus Comatus Mushroom

No. 870. - This is an excellent variety that is found in abundance in stumps of trees in pastures, appearing in spring and autumn. It is much used in catsup, but should only be used when young.

Sweet Or Delicious Mushroom

No. 871. - This is a variety of medium size, having a yellowish color ringed with orange on the top. It somewhat resembles a deleterious species, but is readily distinguished from it, as when it is cut when fresh the juice is quite red and afterwards turns green, while the juice of the noxious kind is white and unchangeable. It is found in the fall of the year, growing under tir or pine trees.

The St. George Mushroom

No. 872. - This is a variety that attains a weight of four or five pounds in California, but is not as delicate as the common Mushroom. Those grown in Europe are superior to the common Mushroom in flavor and are more digestible. It grows in rings in pastures or in thickets under trees, and reappears for successive years on the same spot.

Blewit' S Blue Hats

No. 873. - This is a favorite species, and is sold largely in the markets. It has a soft, moist, smooth pileus, with a solid bulbous stem, tinted with light blue. The gills are of a dingy white color, and rounded towards the stem. It should only be gathered in dry weather, as it absorbs moisture readily, and thereby is injured in flavor and rendered more liable to decay.

Agaricus Primulas

No. 874. - This variety is found only in spring, and grows in rings on the borders of woodlands, at which time an abundance of its spawn can be obtained. It may be preserved by transplanting it into bricks of loam and horse manure, in which it will keep for several months, the same as the spawn of common Mushrooms. This variety is used both in its fresh and dried state. It is preserved by being cut into quarters, and then dried in the air for several days, when it is strung up and kept for future use.