376 CULTIVATED VEGETABLES. 



ounces. Six others were gathered at the 

 same time near the above, averaging about 

 two feet in circumference. 



Chambers relates, that some years ago, an 

 extraordinary mushroom grew upon an old 

 piece of timber in a blacksmith's cellar in the 

 Haymarket, and attained the height of twelve 

 inches or more, and when cut down, appear- 

 ed again at the same time the next year, and 

 so for several succeeding years. In the year 

 1692, M. Tournefort found such an one 

 growing on an old beam in the abbey at St. 

 Germain's : the smell was like that of others 

 of the same kind. An infusion from part of it 

 turned an infusion of turnsol to a bright red; 

 so that it evidently abounded in acids. This 

 seed must have been brought by some acci- 

 dent to these situations, unless the fungi 

 originated in the decaying timber. Lord 

 Bacon says, " It is reported, that the bark 

 of white or red poplar (which may be classed 

 amongst the moist est trees), cut small and 

 cast into furrows well dunged, will cause the 

 ground to put forth mushrooms, at all sea- 

 sons of the year, fit to be eaten; some add to 

 the mixture leaven-bread, resolved in water. 

 It is also reported, that if a hilly field, where 

 the stubble is standing, be set on fire, in the 



