VEGETABLES DESCRIPTION A^D CULTURE. 



363 



and the properties of many others are yet unknown. Until 



which are poisonous it is wise not to attempt to collect the 

 mushrooms from the fields, but to rely only on the spawn 

 s u p p 1 i e d by well- 

 known and reliable 

 seed merchants. With 

 a little practice, how- 

 ever, it is possible to 

 recognize the m o r e 

 common forms, like the 

 Agaricus campestris and 

 the Amanita muscaria. 

 And with proper care, 

 on the part of an intel- 

 ligent person, all dan- 

 ger of poisoning may 

 be eliminated. 



COMMON MUSHROOM. 



(Agaricus campestris, LJ 



"Figure 130 is from a 

 photograph of a speci- 

 men of the common 

 mushroom (or pratelle) 

 which has been pulled 

 and is lying on the 

 table. The parts are 

 easily recognized and 

 named. The stem (sometimes called the stipe) is cylin- 

 drical, or tapers a little toward the lower end. Near 

 its upper end is a sort of a collar, usually termed a ' ring ' 

 (or, technically, an annulus), which encircles it. This ring 

 is very delicate in. this plant, is white like the stem, of a 



\1 



Fig. 130— Mushrooms. Agarwus campes- 

 tris, L (after Atkinson). View of un- 

 der side showing stem, annulus, gills 

 and margin of pileus. Cornell Experi- 

 ment Station. 



