157 



" Were its excellent qualities better known here, they could not fail to 

 secure it a general reception into our best kitchens, and a frequent place 

 among our side diphes at table " (Dr. Badham). 



"Although it has but little flesh it is very savoury and of an excellent 

 odour" (M. C. Cooke). 



"The agaricus procerus has a piquant and full fleshy flavour, that would 

 always make it a favourite at the dinner table, if carefully cooked " (Edwin Lees). 



"If once tried it must please the most fastidious" (Worthington 

 G. Smith). 



"The king of mushrooms" (Mrs. Hussey). 



There can be no question but that, when young and quickly grown, the 

 Parasol Agaric is a delicious fungus. It has a high and delicate flavour without 

 the heavy richness which belongs to the ordinary field mushroom. The writer 

 has prevailed on many persons to try it ; all without exception have liked it, 

 and about one third of the number have thought it quite equal, and some have 

 proclaimed it superior to the mushroom itself. 



MODES OF COOKING THE AGARICUS PROCERUS. 

 The Parasol Agaric may be cooked in any way and is excellent in all. 



"Comme il est tres leger et tr^s delicat, il faut le faire sauter dans I'huile 

 fine apres I'avoir assaisonne d'un point d'ail, de poivre, et de sel ; en quelques 

 instants il est cuit. On le mange aussi en fricassee de poulet, cuit sur le gril, 

 ou dans le tourtiere avec de buerre, de fines herbes, de poivre, de sel, et de 

 la chapelure de pain ; on ne mango point le tige, elle est d'une texture coriace." 



(M. Eoques). 

 1. — BROILED PROCERUS. 



Remove the scales and stalks from the Agarics, and broil lightly over a 

 clear fire on both sides for a few minutes ; arrange them on a dish over fi-esh- 

 made, well-divided toast ; sprinkle with pepper and salt, and put a small piece 

 of butter on each ; set before a brisk fire to melt the butter, and serve up 

 quickly. 



If the cottager would toast his bacon over the broiled mushrooms the 

 butter would be saved. 



