70 BRITISH EDIBLE FUNGI. 



eaters. Generally it has the reputation of Being an 

 excellent substitute for the ordinary mushroom, and 

 we know of some who prefer' it for its milder flavour. 

 It produces a very good pale ketchup, and being 

 found in most localities in abundance, is available for 

 that purpose, an advantage will be found in its com- 

 parative early appearance, since it may always be 

 looked for in July. Only young specimens should be 

 used, or those not attacked by insects. It is 

 shockingly liable to become maggoty. 



All methods of cooking available for the mushroom 

 are applicable to this. There is no more delicate and 

 digestible mushroom dish for breakfast than the 

 " warted mushroom," fried with the gills upwards and 

 a piece of butter, with pepper and salt on each, served 

 on toast. It is better to rub off the warts from the 

 cap, as they do not peel easily, and, of course, discard 

 the stems. 



There are no special directions for ketchup, as the 

 ordinary method in use for mushroom ketchup is 

 applicable to all species. There must be no dis- 

 appointment that the ketchup is not black. The 

 flavour must be regarded and not the colour. This 

 is a soft fleshy fungus and will not submit to be dried 

 satisfactorily for subsequent use, indeed it is very 

 difficult to dry it in the air at all without becoming 

 infested with larvae. We have been informed that the 

 young buttons will pickle well, but of this we have 

 no experience. 



