3i8 



RECREATIOX. 



contain large quantities of protein (nitro- 

 genous material) and to rank close to meat 

 as sources of this important nutriment. 

 The term "vegetable beefsteak" has been 

 applied to them and other equally ex- 

 travaganl statements are- frequently met 

 with. Numbers of analyses of edible fungi 

 have been reported by the experiment sta- 

 tions. European investigators have also de- 

 termined their composition and studied 

 their digestibility by human subjects and 

 by methods of artificial digestion. 



\n extended study of the food value of 

 edible fungi, including their digestibility, 

 has recently been published from the phy- 

 siological laboratory of the Sheffield Sci- 

 entific School of Yale University. 



Analysis does not show that edible fungi 

 (mushrooms) possess a high food value. 

 They contain on an average 88 per cent 

 water, 4 per cent protein (total nitrogenous 

 material) and 7 per cent carbohydrates. 

 The amount of fat and mineral matter in 

 them is small. 



Mushrooms contain a high percentage of 

 water. In ordinary food materials protein 

 is the most important nutrient. As regards 

 protein content, mushrooms rank about 

 the same as potatoes, though they are de- 

 cidedly inferior in food value, since they 

 contain much less carbohydrates. Nonal- 

 luiminoid nitrogen is thought to have little 

 food value. Mushrooms do not contain a 

 high percentage of nitrogen and a consid- 

 erable portion of the nitrogen present is in 

 the form of nonalbuminoids. 



The value of a food is not determined 

 alone by its composition. The digestibility 

 — that is, the material which the body can 

 retain and utilize — is of even more im- 

 portance. The experiments at the Sheffield 

 Scientific School showed that 26 to 59 

 per cent of the total dry matter of the 

 edible fungi tested was indigestible. The 

 total amount of digestible protein is about 

 the same as in the potato. These results 

 were obtained by artificial digestion. They 

 agree in all essential points with those ob- 

 tained by the German investigators. From 

 them the following conclusions were 

 drawn: 



When it is remembered that mushrooms 

 contain 75 to 92 per cent of water, and 

 that the total amount of protein present is 

 comparatively small, it will be seen that 

 they correspond with fresh vegetables. In- 

 deed, they are decidedly inferior to many 

 vegetables." The expression "vegetable 

 beefsteak" seems peculiarly inappropriate 

 when applied in a strictly chemical sense. 

 A person depending on mushrooms to fur- 

 nish the amount of protein necessary in a 

 day's diet would be compelled to consume 

 about 8 pounds, if the morel, a fair average 

 species, were -elected. The carbohydrate 

 content of mushrooms is relatively high, 



but there is no lack of carbohydrate foods 

 in the ordinary diet, and, consequently, no 

 great need for this constituent of mush- 

 rooms. 



Although mushrooms and other edible 

 fungi can not be considered highly nutri 

 tious foods, they are undoubtedly useful 

 condiments or food accessories. They add 

 to the palatability of many food materials 

 when cooked with them, and may be served 

 in many appetizing ways. Their use can 

 undoubtedly be extended by skillful grow- 

 ing and careful marketing. The principal 

 edible fungus raised by market garden- 

 ers is the common field agaric, Agaricus 

 campestris ; and the term mushroom is gen- 

 erally understood to mean that variety. 

 Although the number of wild edible fungi 

 is comparatively large, there are many poi- 

 sonous varieties and too great care can not 

 be exercised in gathering fungi for food. 



Here's good luck to Recreation ; 

 It's a credit to the Nation, 

 For in sportsmen's lore it's always in the 

 van. 

 Oh ! its Editor's a corker, 

 For he roasts the human porker, 

 Who's despised by every decent hunting 

 man. 



H. P. Hays, Hollidaysburg, Pa. 



The Sidle telescope rifle sight arrived all 

 right and it is great. With it I can see to 

 shoot long after other sights are of no use. 

 Any one who wants a good sight for hunt- 

 ing or for target work should get a Sidle. I 

 can see a one inch black at 200 yards with 

 it. Thank you for mine. 



Oscar Elmer, Shelburne Falls, Mass. 



"Say, old man, I notice that coming into 

 town on the train in the mornings you 

 always manage to sit in a seat beside a 

 deuce of a fine looking young woman, and 

 yet you don't seem to know her. You 

 never speak to each other." 



"Oh, that's my wife. She comes to town 

 to study art." — Chicago Times-Herald. 



I thank you for the Vapor stove which 

 I received as a premium. I lit it and 

 took orders for 5 in a few hours, so sent 

 in an order for y 2 dozen. I have used one 

 over a year and know them to be a com- 

 plete success for camping and many other 

 things. 



E. R. Claxton, Park River, N. D. 



The No. 20 Sportsmen's Cabinet, made 

 by the West End Furniture Co., which 

 you sent me as premium, is all that can 

 be desired for the purpose. 



D. E. Wynkoop, Kingsley, Ont. 



