182 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



pore surface grayish white becoming brown, the substance turning 

 red when broken. It grows to four inches in diameter, and may 

 be dried and kept indefinitely. It its found abundant within a few 

 miles of the State House. Our Italian population have brought 

 with tliem a knowledge of Boleti. 



Lycoperdece or Puffballs. — The puffballs are easily i-ecognized 

 and cannot be mistaken for species of any other genus. Tliey 

 are among the most valuable of the edible mushrooms. There 

 are several species, the most common in tliis section being Lyco- 

 perdon saccatAim^ with a diameter of three or four inches. It is filled 

 with a soft white flesh when immature and at its edible stage ; it 

 changes to an elastic yellowish brown, cottony, and dusty mass, 

 including the spores, which are soon blown broadcast by tiie 

 winds. The Giant Puffball, L. gigantetim, attains a diameter of 

 one and even two feet. This mushroom is cooked by frying in a 

 batter of egg and bread crumbs, or it may be stewed with some 

 other mushroom, of which it will absorb the flavor. Puffballs 

 must be gathered young, while they are white and pulpy ; if turn- 

 ing yellow or powdery they are too old for use. It is the abun- 

 dance of this mushroom in many parts of the United States which 

 gives force to the assertion of mycologists that tons of good food 

 go to waste annually in the United States. Puffballs are found 

 from July to September in closely cropped pastures ; sometimes in 

 meadows and gardens. Dr. Curtis wrote of this fuugus : " It is a 

 general favorite with me, as it is indeed of all my acquaintances 

 who have tried it. It has not the high aroma of some others, but 

 it has a delicacy of flavor that makes it superior to any omelet I 

 have ever eaten. It seems, furthermore, to be so digestible as to 

 adapt itself to the most delicate stomach. It is the South Down 

 of Mushrooms." 



Fistidina hepatica. Tlie Beefsteak Mushroom, — This mush- 

 room is found on the slumps of oak, ash, and chestnut trees and 

 probabh' approaches animal food more nearly than any other 

 fungus. It is interesting to note that tliis species frequently 

 appears from year to year on the same stump ; it is well, therefore, 

 "when found to make a note of it." It appears at any time dur- 

 ing the summer season and grows to a tongue or palm shape, hav- 

 ing the color of liver or beet, the under side being a pale yellow. 

 It is attractive in appearance when in good condition and, as we 

 say, " looks good enough to eat." When young it should be 



