208 
Journal of Agricultural Research 
Vol. XI, No. 5 
in one case a ring of Calvatia cyathiformis had five large fruiting bodies 
in the area inside the ring. Two of these fruiting bodies were near the 
center of the ring, while three were situated about midway between the 
center and the stimulated zone. But the period of time which had 
elapsed since the soil mass was infected by the fairy-ring fungus may 
have been sufficient for the organic matter and the other conditions of 
the soil to have again become normal. 
EFFECT OF SOIE AND WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE PRODUCTION 
OF FRUITING BODIES 
The production of fruiting bodies seems to be dependent largely on 
the soil and weather conditions. Jorden (1862) called attention to the 
influence of weather conditions, especially warmth and moisture, on the 
production of fruiting bodies in fairy rings. One ring of Agaricus 
giganteus fruited only once during a period of 50 years' observation. 
In Table II are shown the dates on which the fungi fruited abundantly 
in the vicinity of Akron, Colo., during the years 1907-1916, inclusive. 
These records, taken from field notes, are probably complete, except 
for the occasional production of fruiting bodies in a small area under 
abnormally favorable conditions caused by local showers or drainage 
water. 1 
Table II. —Dates on which fungi have been noted in fruit in the fairy rings at Akron , Colo. 
Year. 
Date of occurrence of fruiting bodies. 
Agaricus tabularis. 
Calvatia cyathiformis. 
Calvatia polygonia. 
rno?. 
June 21. 
Tuly 26. 
July 20. 
July 6. 
August 10. 
August. 
September 13. 
Jjune 21. 
ipo8. 
^09 .. 
T(jTO. 
June 3-19. 
(June 12-19. 
\july 13-17... 
August. 
tqtt . 
June. 
TQT2 . 
TOT/I . 
June 21. 
A y . 
{June 5-24. 
June 14-24. 
*9*5 . 
(August 16-20.. 
August 16-20. 
Calvatia cyathiformis was noted in six of the nine years, Calvatia poly - 
gonia in five, and Agaricus tabularis in but three. A. tabularis fruited 
earlier in the season than the other fungi. During 1909 and 1915, when 
conditions were most favorable for the growth of these fungi, A . tabu¬ 
laris fruiting bodies appeared early in June, followed about 10 days later 
by fruiting bodies of Calvatia cyathiformis . A second and very light crop 
1 In 1912 the writers were absent during the latter part of May and the greater part of June, and no records 
were secured until June 19, after which date fungi were not noted. Mr. Robert D. Rands, who assisted . 
in the alkali and drought resistant plant investigations at Akron, Colo., photographed a ring of Calvatia 
cyathiformis early in June. It seems improbable that Agaricus fruited during this year, since only a few 
Calvatia fruits and no fruits of Agaricus were noted by Mr. Rands. 
