A TALK ABOUT MUSHROOMS. 109 



bouauza, aud bis visions of wealth were extraordinary. He was 

 increasing liis muslirooni-growing facilities proportionately with 

 his visions and circumstances. But, alas! "The best laid 

 schemes o' mice aud men gang aft a-gley." While this mushroom 

 has behaved with varying grace to him since then, it has not been 

 so productive as it was the first year. 



After watching its habits, and testing its quality, I sent 

 specimens to Professor C. H. Peck, our state botanist, at Albany, 

 for identification. He found it to be a new species and has named 

 it Agaricus subrufescens. In the Annual Report of the State 

 Botanist of the State of New York, 1893, on page 25, he gives a 

 technical description of the species aud its origin. 



There is no doubt that the new mushroom has come to stay, 

 especially as a summer cropper. But for some years at least its 

 culture will probably be restricted to private families, and commer- 

 cial growers doing a private business. Before now the price of 

 spawn — five dollars for a five pound package — has been prohibi- 

 tory, but I believe spawn will be offered this spring by one or two 

 parties, cheap enough for every person to try it. It will be sold 

 as flake spawn ; that is, not in bricks, but in the condition in which 

 we get French spawn, and I shall be disappointed if it costs more 

 than a dollar per half-bushel or five dollars per barrel. 



What are the advantages of the new mushroom? Its extraor- 

 dinary productiveness when it does well, and its adaptability for 

 growing in summer. In what way is it better for summer work 

 than the old sort? We cannot control the old sort at will out of 

 <loors, or with any certainty at any time in the open air ; and 

 what we may grow in sheds, frames, or ordinary cellars are apt to 

 be so infested with maggots as to be unfit for food. On the other 

 hand, the new mushroom can be grown all summer, and as it 

 springs up so fast the larvue of the little flies do not have time to 

 develop before the mushrooms are gathered for use. But, except 

 for its rapid growth, the new mushroom is no more maggot-proof 

 than the old one. 



What are the disadvantages of the new mushroom? Its toad- 

 stool appearance ; its uncertain behavior ; and the fact that its 

 crop comes in spurts, — plenty today and maybe none tomorrow. 

 But further personal acquaintance may overcome the objection to 

 its looks, and practical experience may correct its behavior. Bulk 

 for bulk it is not as heavy as is the common mushroom ; while its 



