EXHIBITION OF EDIBLE FUNGI. 



CXXV 



ordinary cultivated Mushroom, which it might have De3n imagined some 

 of the cultivators of Mushrooms would have been sure to send. It was 

 very remarkable that in an exhibition of Edible Fungi not a single 

 ordinary Mushroom was to be seen. 



The most extensive and interesting collection was sent by A. Seth Smith, 

 Esq., Silvermere, Cobham, Surrey (with the co-operation of his gardener, 

 Mr. J. Quartermann), to whom the first prize, a Silver-gilt Banksian 

 Medal, was allotted. Not less than one hundred different species were 

 included in this collection, a portion of which were edible species. Time 

 did not permit names to be attached to all the specimens. 



The next collection was duly named and was exhibited by Mr. I. F. 

 Eayner, Ivy Bank, Highfield, Southampton, accompanied by coloured 

 drawings, and this was considered to be of about equal value with the next 

 collection, viz. a small series of Edible Fungi from Yorkshire brought 

 and exhibited by Mr. Charles Crossland, Coleridge Street, Halifax ; to 

 both of which Silver Banksian Medals were awarded. 



In addition to these, small collections were sent by Mr. Carleton Eea, 

 Foregate Street, Worcester ; by Mr. C. Abbott, The Gardens, Elton Hall, 

 Peterborough ; by the Rev. W. L. W. Eyre, M.A., Swarraton Rectory, 

 Alresford ; by J. H. Holland, Esq., Dean House, Ryde ; by A. Clarke, Esq., 

 Huddersfield ; by Dr. H. Franklin Parsons, Croydon ; by Miss M. E. 

 Bunyard, Maidstone ; and by the Essex Field Club. 



Of single specimens the most interesting was a group of Agaricus 

 elvensis sent by Thos. Bristow, Esq. F.R.H.S., Marlfield Cottage, Primrose 

 Hill, Tonbridge. This species has but rarely been found ; it grows in 

 clusters, and is of a larger size than the cultivated Mushroom, but fully 

 its equal in firmness and flavour, and is a most desirable species for 

 cultivation. 



Another single specimen was a large one, sent by Mr. Carter Page, of 

 the Horse Mushroom (Agaricus arvensis), fully eighteen inches in 

 diameter. 



Mr. Willard, of Holly Lodge, Highgate, sent for exhibition a large 

 tropical Polyporus from South America. In all there were not less than 

 forty to fifty species of edible fungi exhibited. 



The thanks of the Society are specially due to Dr. Cooke, V.M.H., and 

 his expert coadjutors, for the great trouble which they took in the matter, 

 and for the exceedingly interesting exhibition which ensued. 



TENTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION OF BRITISH-GROWN FRUIT. 



Held at the Society's Gardens at Chiswick, 

 September 29, 30, and October 1, 1903. 



The Show of 1903 will long be memorable as being (i.) the first of the 

 Society's long series of British Fruit Shows with which an exhibition of 

 vegetables has been associated, and (ii.) probably the last public function 

 connected with the Society's long tenure of the Gardens at Chiswick. 

 With regard to the former point, it was a matter of universal rejoicing 

 amongst gardeners that at last vegetables were accorded their rightful 



F F 2 



