Show TO TELL A MUSHROOM one versed in science may determine now new species safest method la Is to lea learn rn each 0 ed ble species carefully from forn some good authority never eat ono one unless known dy BY L M BE bennington eat ono one and if it kills you it is poisonous it it does not make you sick it la is edible there are many rules for determining them yet all really center down to this the only infallible one yet given those familiar with only the common mushroom say eay to avoid all which havo have white gills bills and a hollow stem yet many edible ones are by this hla rule discarded all with milky juice a are re to be shunned is another too c comprehensive rule equally fallacious s la is the 9 general statement that a membranous sheath at the base of the stem or a warty cap la is a hopeless ban it la Is simply a reason tor for distrust as are tho the other signs the idea that if a sliver silver spoon left in the iho dish remain untarnished they were edible has also been too sadly demonstrated as false the safest method Is to learn bac each edible species carefully from some good authority almost every mushroom lover knows one or two of the more common species for a certainty but let him not be tempted into trying a no new w sort r toad stool fifty amanita often mistaken for mushroom the small corky patches on the lower cut A always show the toad stool just juat from a rough description given by someone else the one versed in science may determine new species by analysis others can only verify by personal help from unquestioned authority and even then it takes sharp observation to bo be certain some slight variation may require transfer to an object lonal class all morals put balls and fairy clubs so far known are harmless but just here the caution against taking this a sweeping statement roust must be made there yet may be discovered some tare rare species in any of these groups which Is poisonous so we can only go back to the former injunction to never eat a mushroom unless it Is known to be harmless those partial to them as food and having an abundance of unknown material which looks good enough to eat will do well to send samples to some specialist tor for identification this will usually be done gratuitously it stamps are enclosed for identify cation both young and mature fruit are needed and specimens should be freshly gathered and wrapped in oiled paper or green leaves to keep keel fresh then slip into a small pasteboard box marking name and address ot sender bender on package as well as on letter in gathering omA it should bo be remembered that some are infested with by insects and their larvae those on which the sun has shone are especially prone to this trouble old partly decayed and wa ter soaked specimens should always be discarded only the fresh ones are fit at to eat the great putt puff balls so inviting when fresh deteriorate rapidly the first indication being told in the yellowing status stains mushrooms may be rapidly dried and thus keep tor for future use analysis shows egowa that they contain from twenty to fifty per cent protein sickness usually appears it if at all daveral coteral co veral hours after eating attended by nausea stupor and often death |