6 
may be sure tlieir value will not be permanently overlooked in the Uni ted 
States, especially when we consider our large accessions of population 
from countries in which the mushroom is a familiar and much prized 
edible. 
In France mushrooms form a very large article of consumption and 
are widely cultivated. Mushroom beds are cultivated in caves, fre¬ 
quently miles in extent. A cave at Mery is mentioned as containing, 
in 1867,21 miles of beds, and producing not less than 3,000 pounds daily. 
Another at Frepillon contains 16 miles of beds. The catacombs and 
quarries of Paris and vicinity, and the caves of Moulin de la Eoclie, 
Sous Bicetre, and Bagneux produce immense quantities of mushrooms. 
They are all under Government supervision, and are regularly inspected 
like the mines. 
The mushroom which is cultivated in these quarries and caves almost 
to the exclusion of all others is the “Snow Ball” ( Agaricus arvensis). 
The truffle is held in high esteem and is largely exported. In 1872 the 
quantity of truffles exported from France was valued at over 3,000,000 
francs. In 1879 at nearly 10,000,000 francs. Immense quantities of the 
Agaricus deliciosus are sold in the Marseilles markets. The Fistulina 
liepatica is also in great demand, and many other varieties appear from 
time to time in the markets throughout France. The natives of Aus¬ 
tralia use largely a truffle which attains a weight of more than 2 pounds, 
and is known under the name of “native bread.” The Chinese, who 
are noted for the care bestowed on their esculent vegetation, consume 
large quantities of edible fungi, importing largely from Japan and 
Tahiti. Tne trade in edible fungi from Tahiti to China commenced 
about the year 1866; in 1868 only 70 tons were shipped; in 1873 135 
tons were exported to China, and in 1874 152 tons were exported. 
The value of mushrooms imported by Shanghai from Tahiti in 1872 
was 107,000 taels, and in 1873 138,800 taels—the tael is worth about 6 
shillings sterling, or about $1.50 in United States currency. The 
fungus shipped (. Hirneola auricula-Judce B.) is said to be very rich in 
fungine and nitrogen. It is a very bulky freight; 10 tons will occupy 
the room of 30 tons ordinary freight. 
A very laudable practice of the Chinese Government alluded to in an 
English journal, and which might perhaps be advantageously adopted 
in this country, is the publishing for annual gratuitous distribution of 
numerous treatises, describing the different herbs which can be utilized 
in whole or in part for food purposes. One of these treatises is called 
the “Anti-Famine Herbal,” and consists of six volumes, containing 
descriptions, with illustrations, of over four hundred plants which can 
be used as food. These volumes are of inestimable value in districts 
where the ravages of insects, drought, etc., have destroyed the grain 
and rice crops, and famine is imminent. For some years past New Zea¬ 
land has exported large quantities of an edible fungus to San Fran- 
ciso and Hongkong for use of the Celestials. A full account of this 
) 
