686 



PRACTICE OF GARDENING. 



Part III. 



extract some part of their poison ; and tannin matter decomposes the greatest part of it. 

 (Botanist's Companion, vol. ii. p. 145.) 



4.342. Culture. For the culture of the common mushroom, see Chap. VII. Sect. XIV. (3404.) With respect 

 to the other edible sorts, as already observed, the)' are seldom gathered for use in Britain, excepting by ex- 

 perienced botanists ; and none of them, as far as we know, have yet been brought under cultivation. We 

 think, however, that some of them, as the A. aurantiacus, A. deliciosus, and A. pratensis, might very 

 readily, and without danger, be introduced to the garden ; treating them like the garden-mushroom, 

 or imitating the climate of the season of the year in which they are found in perfection, and the soil, 

 situation, and exposure, &c. where they are found in greatest abundance, and of the best quality. In the 

 first instance, it would, perhaps, be preferable to propagate from seed, in order to make sure of the species. 

 In the present improved state of horticulture, if this branch of culture were once attempted, it would soon 

 be rendered available by every gardener who can cultivate the common mushroom. 



Subsect. 2. Morel. — Phallus esculentus, L. ; Helvetia esculenta of Sowerby 

 (tab. 51.); and Morchella esculenta of Persoon. Cryptogamia Fungi, L. and Gym- 

 nocarpi, Persoon. In French, German, and Italian, not distinguished from the Cham- 

 pignon by any popular name. (Jig. 479.) 



4343. The morel is distinguished by its cylindrical, solid, or hol- 

 low stem, white and smooth ; the cap is hollow within, and adher- 

 ing to the stem by its base,and latticed on the surface with irregu- 

 lar sinuses. The height is about four inches. It rises in the 

 spring months, in wet banks, in woods, and in moist pastures. 

 It is in perfection in May and June, and should not be gathered 

 when wet with dew, or soon after rain. Gathered dry, they will 

 keep several months. 



4344. Use. Morels are used, either fresh or dried, as an in- 

 gredient to heighten the flavor of gravies, ragouts, &c. 



4345. Culture. Though this vegetable has not yet been introduced in gar- 

 den-culture, like the mushroom, there can be no doubt of the attempt being 

 attended with success. The spawn should be collected in June, and planted in 

 beds or ridges, differently composed, and some laid up for use in dry and moist 

 envelopements, in order, by experiment, to come to the best mode of cultiva- 

 tion. Lightfoot says, he has raised the phallus from seed. 



Subsect. 3. Truffle, or Subterraneous Puff-ball. — Tuber Cibarium, Sowerby. (tab. 309.) 

 Cryptogamia Fungi, L. and Angiocarpi, Per. Truffle, Fr. ; Triifel, Ger. ; and Tar- 

 tufo nero, Ital. (Jig. 480.) 4g0 



4346. The truffle is a subterraneous fungus, growing 

 naturally some inches below the surface in different parts 



of Britain ; and very common in the downs of Wiltshire, /' L ~i^y / y-\ [ J<. 

 Hampshire, and Kent, where dogs are trained to scent it 

 out. The dogs point out the spot by scraping and bark- 

 ing ; and the truffles, which are generally found in clus- 

 ters, are dug up with a spade. The truffle is globular, 

 seldom the size of a hen's egg, without any root, and of a 

 dark color, approaching to blackness. The surface is 

 uneven and rough ; the flesh firm, white while young, but when old, it becomes black, 

 with whitish veins. 



4347. Use. They are used, like the mushroom, in stuffings, grades, and other high- 

 seasoned culinary preparations. They are generally procured from Covent Garden mar- 

 ket, as they bear carriage to any distance. 



4348. Culture. " No attempt," Neill observes, " it is believed, has hitherto been made to cultivate 

 truffles ; but of the practicability of the thing there seems no reason to doubt. In their habits of growth, 

 indeed, they differ essentially from the mushroom ; but it is certainly possible to accommodate the soil and 

 other circumstances to the peculiar nature of the fungus. It has been said, that the tubercles on the sur- 

 face of truffles are analogous to the eyes or buds of potatoes, and that they have been propagated, like po- 

 tatoes, by means of cuts furnished with tubercles ; it may however be suspected, that the pieces thus 

 planted contained ripe seeds. Truffles, we may add, seem to delight in a mixture of clay and sand ; and 

 a moderate degree of bottom heat, such as is afforded by a spent hot-bed, might probably forward their ve- 

 getation." (Ed. Encyc.) 



Sect. XV. Edible Fuci. — Cryptogamia Alga, L. and Fucacece, Lamouroux. 

 Varec, Fr. ; Meergrass, Ger. ; and Fuco, Ital. 



4349. The edible British fuci may be shortly enumerated, because some of them are 

 occasionally used as condiments by families living near the sea-coast ; and because they 

 furnish articles of resource for the local poor, especially in seasons of scarcity. There are 

 numerous species ; all of which, in common with everv other class of sea- weeds and zoo- 

 phytes, are employed in gardening as manures ; and in general economy for making kelp 

 or alkali. The following are the principal of the British species, which are considered 

 edible bv the inhabitants of sea-shores. 



