DRIED MUSHROOMS. 213 



" toadstools " as the result of experience, and the use 

 of their intellect and common sense, being also aware 

 of the danger, consequently escape, and are safe. 



XXXIIL— DRIED MUSHROOMS. 



Fungi dried for winter use is a luxury more in vogue 

 on the Continent than with us, and yet the material is 

 as commion, and it can only be the taste that is want- 

 ing. If the mushroom flavour is desirable during 

 a few autumnal months, why should it not be equally 

 acceptable through the winter ? Custom has a great 

 deal to do with these things, and in the present case 

 the custom might be accepted with advantage. The 

 compound sold in some cases as " Mushroom powder " 

 is no equivalent, but rather acts as a deterrent ; but 

 genuine mushroom powder is only one of the forms of 

 dried fungi. Under the several species we have noti- 

 fied those which are most suitable for the process of 

 drying, and these may be collected here so as to 

 exhibit at once what are the possible kitchen resources 

 in the winter. It seems strange that at the very 

 period of the year when soups and savoury dishes are 

 most acceptable of all, that such delicate flavourings 

 should be absent. No one who has been in Germany 

 or Austria during winter can fail to have noted the 



