334 VEGETABLE SUBSTANCES. 



from off an old building.* Indeed, in no case does 

 it appear absolutely necessary to sow the visible seeds 

 of these fungi. They seem to be existent almost 

 everywhere, and all that is wanted is to induce the 

 circumstances proper for their germination. 



Four or five years ago, during a few weeks in the 

 autumn, such an abundant supply of ' this voluptuous 

 poison ' was brought for sale to Preston, that immense 

 quantities were sold at from three pence to fourpence 

 per peck, and the smallest kind, for pickling, at 

 twopence per quart. Cart-loads were purchased for 

 the Manchester markets.! 



Although of so spontaneous and abundant growth 

 in some situations and seasons, yet, to obtain a re- 

 gular and unfailing supply, mushrooms are, in most 

 large gardens, raised artificially from the spawn, or 

 seed, in an incipient state of growth ; but wild mush- 

 rooms from old pastures are generally considered 

 more delicate in flavour than those obtained by gar- 

 den culture. Mushroom spawn is a white fibrous 

 substance, running like broken threads in any nidus 

 which is fitted to nourish it ; this, scattered on beds 

 dressed with stable manure, and skilfully managed, 

 produces a very plentiful crop of mushrooms. Many 

 methods are pursued and recommended by different 

 cultivators ; but it would lead us wholly beyond our 

 province to attempt any description of these. 



Besides the cultivated mushroom, about a dozen 

 other species growing in England are described by 

 botanical writers as esculent. 



The CHAMPIGNON Agaricus pralensis has a 

 solid stem, like the common mushroom, with the 

 cap of a pale brown at the upper surface, and the 

 gills yellowish. It grows on more moist land than 



* Fleming's Brit. Farm. Mag., November, 1826. 

 t Preston Pilot ; Gard. Mag. 



