48 



A Mushroom Disease. 



[APRIL, 



small, deformed cap is present, but as a rule the entire mass of 

 a diseased mushroom consists of a much swollen stem. After 

 a time the parasite forms its spores on the surface of the diseased 

 mass, appearing under the form of a snow-white, minutely 

 velvety covering. After the spores are scattered the diseased 



Diseased Mushrooms. 



mushroom rapidly decays, forming a putrid mass having a very 

 disagreeable, pungent smell. 



Numerous toadstools and other fungi suffering from the 

 parasitism of different kinds of Hypomyces are common in our 

 woods and pastures every season, and spores are probably 

 introduced into the mushroom bed along with the manure or 

 road sweepings commonly used. In some instances it is 

 perfectly certain that the spawn is infected before it is placed in 



