MUSHKOOM GROWING. 47 



also of a single experiment with A. v'dlatkus. In both cases the 

 yield Avas excellent. It is not well to draw definite conclusions 

 from individual tests, but it is believed that both of these forms will 

 yield profitably in general culture under conditions similar to those 

 required for A. campestris. Plate III, figure 2, indicates the size 

 and compactness of the mature sporophore of A. rUlaticiis. More- 

 over, both of the species above referred to are to be recommended 

 for texture and flavor. Two forms of AgarirvH fahaeevs (see PI. 

 Ill, fig. 1), both with amygdaline odor and flavor, have been tried 

 in relatively few experiments. In no case has the yield been verv 

 good, and further experiments will be required before it will be pos- 

 sible to state under what conditions these forms may be most suc- 

 cessfully grown. At the Missouri Botanical (jarden l^rof. William 

 Trelease has for some time grown successfully one of these varieties. 



Owing to the profuse and rapid growth of the mycelium of ('(>j»'i- 

 iii/s comatus in pure cultures, it was anticipated that it might easily 

 be grown in beds. The few experiments thus far made indicate that 

 in impure cultures (beds) of leaf mold the mycelium grows and 

 spreads very slowly. Hot weather prevented the maturity of the 

 tests, but no sporophores were produced during a considerable pe- 

 riod. In similar experiments Lepiota rhacodes and Trieholoma per- 

 .''onatum were used. The former has given unsatisfactory results thus 

 far, but the latter is promising. 



It is not yet time to report on the possibility of growing the better 

 and larger species of puffballs and the morel. It has already been 

 indicated that the mycelium of these fungi grows well in pure cul- 

 tures. From the pure cultures it has also been demonstrated that 

 spawn may be made, but it has not been determined under what con- 

 ditions the fruit may be produced. Figure 1 on Plate IV shows a 

 young specimen of one of the puffballs, Caloatin craniifortnis, the 

 spawn of which is produced with the least difficulty. 



COOPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS. 



During the V'inter of 1902-3 a small quantity of experimental 

 spawn made by the writer was sent out to mushroom growers for 

 trial; in 1903—1: this spawn was made in large quantity, and trial 

 packages were sent to more than 100 growers or interested persons. 

 At that time Farmers' Bulletin No. 204 had not been issued, and the 

 instructions which could be furnished inexperienced growers were 

 inadequate. Nevertheless, an attempt was made to obtain reports 

 from all persons receiving the experimental spawn, even from those 

 who had applied for and received spawn when the season was too far 

 advanced for successful work except in caves and cool cellars. A 

 number of reports were received, but, as might be expected, fully 50 

 per cent of these indicated that the conditions under Avhich the experi- 

 0329— No. 85-=-()r> m— ^-4 



