Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries. 21 



JEsculus turbinata, Blume. 



Japan. The " Toclmoki." Height to 40 feet. Valuable as a 

 promenade-tree for shade, some planted at Japanese pagodas spread- 

 ing to extraordinary width [Dr. Mene]. The seeds are there used 

 for human food. The hardy Chinese A. Sinensis is very closely 

 allied to this, and flowers later than A. Hippocastanum [Dr. 

 Masters] . 



Agraricus caesareus, Scliaeffer. 



In the spruce-forests of Middle and Southern Europe. Trials 

 might be made to naturalise this long-famed and highly delicious 

 mushroom in our woodlands. It attains a width of nearly one foot, 

 and is of a magnificent orange -color. Numerous other edible 

 Agarics could doubtless be brought into this country by the mere 

 dispersion of the spores in fit localities. As large or otherwise 

 specially eligible may here be mentioned, 011 the authority of Dr. 

 Hosenthal, who alludes to many more, A. extinctorius L., A. melleus 

 Yahl, A. deliciosus L., A. giganteus Sowerby, A. Cardarella Fr., 

 A. Marzuolus Fr., A. Eryngii Cand., A. splendens Pers., A. odorus 

 Bulliard, A. auricula Cand., A. oreades Bolt., A. esculentus Wulf., 

 A., mouceron Tratt., A. socialis Cand., A. laccatus Scop., all from 

 Europe, besides numerous other highly valuable species from other 

 parts of the globe. Professor Goeppert adds as edible species, sold 

 in Silesi i and other parts of Germany : A. decorosus Fries, A. 

 fusipes Bull., A. gambosus Fries, A. procerus Scop., A. scorodonius 

 Fries, A. silvaticus Schaeft'., A. virgineus Wulf., A. volemus Fries, 

 besides the almost cosmopolitan A. canipestris Linne and A. arveii- 

 sis Schaeft'er. Dr. M. C. Cooke mentions of Agarics besides as 

 European (mostly British) kinds, fit for the kitchen : A. rachodes 

 Vitt., A. personatus Fr., A. iiebularis Batsch, A. dealbatus, Sow., 

 A. geotropus Bull., A. salignus Tratt., A. prunulus Scop., A. muta- 

 bilis Schaeft'., A. squarrosus O. Muell., A. pudicus Viv. Dr. L. 

 Planchon noted the following among the French edible species 

 additionally : A. vaginatus Bull., A. ovoideus Bull., A. rubescens 

 Fr., A. caligatus Viv., A. terreus SchaeflL A. albellus Cand., A. 

 iiudus Bull., A. crassipes Desrn., A. piperatus L., A. cyliiidrius 

 Cand., A. pluteus Fr., A. bombycinus Schaeff. Dr. Goeze speaks 

 particularly of A. palometus, Thore and A. graveolens, Pers. 

 Several of these extend spontaneously to Australia. Mushroom 

 beds are best made from horse-manure, mixed with one-eighth loam, 

 the scattering of the mushroom-fragments to be effected, when the 

 temperature of the hot-bed has become reduced to 85 F., this sow- 

 ing to IDC made 2-3 inches deep, and 4 inches apart ; 1 inch sifted 

 . loam over the damp bed and some hay to cover the whole. After 

 two months mushrooms can be gathered from the bed. Mushroom- 

 beds can also be prepared in spare places of cellars, stables, sheds 

 and other spots,' where equability of mild temperature and some 

 humidity can be secured. According to Mr. C. F. Heinemann, of 

 Erfurt, the needful hot-beds can best be made one above another, 



