THE FAIRY-RING MUSHROOM 

 Another story is told of a fairy feast in which 



" A little mushroom that was now grown thinner 

 By being at one time shaven for the dinner " 



served for a table. 



This is not the only fungus that appears in circles. 

 Several different kinds are said to grow in this way. 

 The reason that fungi grow in rings, is because of the 

 way that the mycelium grows. At first there is a 

 single mushroom. This uses up the soil so that the 

 plant will not come up in the same spot again. But 

 the spawn spreads, and the next year sends up plants 

 in a small ring outside the place where the one grew 

 the year before. Again the mycelium spreads and the 

 spores fall. In this way the size of the circle increases 

 each year. 



For a long time the "fairy-ring" mushroom has 

 been used for food. It is small, but in some places 

 bushels may be gathered in a day. It has an agreeable 

 nutty taste. 



Mr. Hamilton Gibson said: "I remember, as a boy, 

 summer after summer, observing upon a certain spot 

 upon our lawn this dense, and at length scattering, 

 ring of tiny yellowish mushrooms, and the aroma, as 

 they simmered on the kitchen stove, is an appetizing 



memorv." 



75 



