Show TO tell A MUSHROOM one versed in science may determine new species safest method Is to learn each edible species carefully from somo good authority never eat one unless known by L M bennington eat one and it it kills you it 13 poisonous it it does not make you sick it is edible there are many rules for determining them yet all really center down to this the only infallible one yet given those daml liar with only the common mushroom say to avoid all which have white gills and a hollow stem yet many edible ones are by this rule discarded all with milky juice are to be shunned is another too comprehend compre hen alve rule equally fallacious Is the general statement that a membranous sheath at the base of the stem or a warty cap is a hopeless ban it is dimply a reason for distrust is are the other signs the idea that if a silver spoon left in the dish remain untarnished they were edible has also been too sadly demonstrated as false the safest method is to learn 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 new sort toad stool fifty amanita often mistaken for mushroom the small corky patches on the lower cut always show the toad stool just 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 be certain some slight variation may require transfer to an class all dorels morels pun balls and fairy clubs so tar known are harmless but just here the caution against tak ing this a sweeping statement must be made there yet may be discovered some rare species in any of anese groups which is poisonous so we can only go back to the former alon to never eat a mushroom unless it Is known to be harmless those partial to them as food and having an abundance of unknown ma terdal which looks good enough to eat will do well to send samples to some specialist tor identification this will usually be done gratuitously if stamps are enclosed for cation both young and mature fruit are needed and specimens should be freshly gathered and wrapped in oiled paper or green leaves to keep fresh then slip into a small pasteboard box marking name and address of sender on package as well as on letter in gathering mushrooms it should 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 to eat the great puff balls so inviting when fresh deteriorate rapidly the first indication being told in the yel lowing stains mushrooms may bo rapidly dried and thus keep tor future use analysis shows that they contain from twenty to fifty per cent protein sickness usually appears it at all several hours after eating attended by nausea stupor and often death |