PLATE 1. 



AGARICUS CAMPESTRIS ET ARVENSIS, OR MUSHROOM PROPER. 



DESCRIPTION. Pii-EUS. Dry, silky or downy from the first; globular, margin united to the atem by the veil, then 

 expanded, bell-shaped, at last even flat. Color variable, from white to dark brown. Cuticle easily separable in 

 pasture variety. 



Gills. At first pink, then purple, finally almost black, never white ; of different lengths. 



Stbm. Nearly solid, even in size, easily removed from the socket. 



VoLVA. None; but veil present, at first enclosing gills, then making a ring, finally absent. 



Spores. Purple or purplish brown. Tastk and smell fragrant and agreeable. 



Grows in open pastures, lanes or roadsides; never in forests 



(B.) Similar to above, but coarser, more brittle and of stronger flavor; turns rust of iron color when braised; grows on banks, 

 street-sweepings and in hot-houses. 



TO COO K. Stew in milk or cream; prepare to serve with meat as described under Plat« II., or broil as directed under 

 Plate III. 



TO ROAST I N TH E OVEN. Cut the larger specimens into fine pieces, and place them in a .small dish, with salt, 

 pepper and butter to taste; put in about two tablespoonfuls of water, then fill the dish with the half-open specimens and the 

 buttons; cover tightly and place in the oven, which must not be overheated, for about twenty minutes. The juice of the 

 larger mushrooms will keep them moist, and, if fresh, yield further a most abundant gravy. 



N. B. In gathering the pasture variety, cut them just below the cap {don't pull them); they can then be cooked without 

 washing or peeling. The cultivated mushrooms are often so dirty as to require both washing and peeling. 



