MUSHROOMS 



branches are broken off. Here it lives and grows for 

 years, gradually taking the life from the tree and caus- 

 ing it to decay. 



When people wish to grow mushrooms they plant the 

 mycelium, or spawn. The growth from soawn is much 

 quicker than from spores. 



THE COMMON MEADOW MUSHROOM 



THE common meadow mushroom is the best known 

 of the fungi. It is found for sale in many markets. 

 The picture shows you a cluster of these plants as they 

 grow among the meadow grass. Though this is their 

 favorite dwelling place, they are sometimes found on 

 the lawn, in the garden and pasture, and by the road- 

 side. 



The thick, fleshy cap is rounded, and is usually white 

 or light brown. The surface is smooth and a little 

 silky. Sometimes it is torn up into scales. These 

 scales are often of a dark color. 



The most important thing to notice in this plant is its 

 gills and their color. As the cap expands, and the veil 

 breaks, we find them to be of a delicate pinkish tint. 

 When they grow older they change to a smoky brown. 

 This is because of the great number of dark-colored 

 spores that are borne on their surface. No poisonous 

 mushrooms are known whose pinkish spores turn brown 



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