CHAPTER I 



HOW TO COLLECT AND EXAMINE MUSHROOMS 



Mushrooms of one kind or another are to be found at almost 

 every season but they occur in greatest abundance after 

 showery weather in the months of July, August and September. 



The collector will find a basket to be a good receptacle for 

 them and different species may be kept separate from each 

 other and uncrushed by having leaves or leafy twigs among 

 them, or better yet, by being carried in paper bags. Folding 

 paper boxes, such as are used for holding crackers are also 

 good for this purpose. 



The mushroom is plucked entire from the ground or wood 

 upon which it grows and especial care must be taken not to 

 cut or break the stem. Unless the whole plant is obtained it 

 will be difficult or impossible to know whether the stem is pro- 

 vided with a volva or cup at the base, or whether its base is 

 bulbous or hairy or attached to other stems. The dirt adher- 

 ing to the stem, if there is any, is removed before the specimen 

 is put with others into the receptacle. In collecting mush- 

 rooms for the table, the stems are cut off close to the cap. 



The beginner is warned against attempting to identify a new 

 species with but one or two specimens at hand. It is desirable 

 to have for this purpose several specimens of varied stages of 

 development, so that one or more of them may be cut across 

 in order that the form of the gills and interior of the stem 

 may be noted, while yet other caps may be needed for spore 

 prints. It is important to keep separate from each other the 

 specimens of the various species collected. 



3 



