S e c t . X I IT . Foreign hardy herbaceous culinary Vegetahles, little used as such in Britain.
4231. The culinary plants o f other countries arc in general the same as om* own ; but
a few may be mentioned which arc more commonly cultivated in France, Germany,’and
America, thau in England, but wliich would thrive in the latter country.
4232. The Claytôiûa p e r fo lià ta {P e n tá n . Monog. L. and Vortulàc cæ J .) is a hardy annual, a native of
America, of th e easiest possible culture in any soil. Sown in autumn, it endures the: winter, and flowers
in April and May. Its perfoliate foliage is not very abuud.ant, but it is exceedingly succulent, .and not
inienor to common spinach in fiavour. It lias no pretensions to supersede, or even to be generallv cul-
be fourni an S u l resource^^^^ circumstances, it may
4 m The Jîasélla á lh a a n á rù b ra (P e n tá n . T r ig . L. and Chenopôdeæ J .) are stove-biennials, raised on
hotbeds near P.aris, and transplanted into warm borders, where they furnish a summer spinach equal to
th a t of the orache. { I lo r t. T o u r , \ mi,«,. «-« «i. « — — *1............................ - «... * .9
in I lo r t. T ra n s ., vol. v. p. .54.)
4234. The i n t V t irg im itiia a n jnm p o k e {(c P n hytolácca y to in c c a d ae e ca cândr n a ra a L . .; ; De J)ccim.cán. P e n ta g . L. and Chenopôdeæ Chenopbdccc J .) ) is is a a
««mîin 1 !ll 31« fn 1 0 3*«« ..Tl-rt. «... .. 5*"'
perennuil with large ramose roots, shoots half an inch in diameter, and 5 ft. or fi ft. hich : the leave
fong and 2J m. broad, smooth, and of a deep green. It grows vigorously in a good deen soi
furnishes tyipplies West Indies luriiishes ample supplies of young shoots, which in America and the W are boiled and ea
Indies are boiled and e
i ’tiytolacca; Correa de S e r ra , in H o r t. T ra ,ts ., vui. iv. p. 4*10.
■ans.,vol.44G.)
4235. The w h ite cabbage o f China {B. ch in6 m i s L . ) , used both as ap o th e rb and a salad ’ ’ {B a r r -OW}o w : J
Abel).
and the wild cabbage 01 America {B . washltana M u h l.) , used as a potherb, migiit be grown for similar
purposes in this country. T h e procumbent cabbage of China is mentioned by Livingstone (H o r t 1
vol. V. p . 55.) as beiug a hardy p k n t, supplying leaves the whole of winter.
423G. The Shawane se salad {H yd ro p h y llu in v irgm ic um L. ; P e n tâ n . Monog. L. and D o ra sm eæ J ) is a
hardy perennial, very prolific m lobed lucid green leaves which hold water (whence the name) and are
used by tlie Indians both raw and boiled. « u.
4237. The A 'p io s t u h e / s a P h . {D iadé lph. D e cá n . L . and L eg vm in b sa : J .) is a hardy tuberei
perennial, a native of North America, the tubers of which are used by the Indians.
4238. The brcad-root {P sorMea esculbnta L. ; D ia d é l. D e cá n . L. and D egum inbsw J .) is a hardy perennial,
niai, a native uauve oi of luissouri,Missouri, ana and useu used tn th ere as potatoes are in this country.
couiitrv. 4 0 ^0 'Pha «rt.OT,3virt,c7. id -'.J Ij, T T.r....'.. n r ____ T . , . ? A m ? ric a^S tU h ë ra îsed î^ ^ ^ ^ L- and Asphodèlcæ J .) is a native of North
4240. Other h a rd y esculents. T h e Indian corn (Zè a M à y s) is grown in some parts as a garden-plant,
t ^ ears being gathered green or partially ripe, and boiled or roasted. For details o fth e culture of this
plant, see Gard. M a g ., vol. vi. p. GO. and G3. ; and Enc y c . o f A g r ., § 6149. The common millet is grown on
th e continent us a garden-plant for its seeds, to be used as a substitute for rice : the Poliih millet
(Digitarla sanguinalis) is groivn for this purpose in the cottage gardens in Poland : as is the carnation
poppy (Papaver soraiiiferum), for its seeds, which form a seasoning to buck-wheat porridge. Nigella
sativa and arvensis, hardy annuals, are cultivated in Flanders for their seeds, which are u s« l as celerv-
seeds arc m tlus country, m soups and also in puddings. The Pekin mustard (.Sinàpis pekinénsisì is a
lufody annual, and the most extensively used herbaceous plant in China, being, as Livingstone informs us
(M iri. Trans., vol. v. p. 54.), carried about th e streets of Canton and other to
1 he jiraarantiis polygaraus, a hardy annual, grown in China as a spinaci
belonging to the Crucîferæ, Chenopôdeæ, T’ortulàceæ, &c., might be m
ntioned. T h e T&gètes lùcida
forms an excellent substitute for tarragon, in making tarragon vinegar.
S e c t . XIV. Edible Fungi.
4241. Only one species of edible fungus has yet been introduced into the garden, though
there can be no doubt the whole would submit to, and probably be improved by, cultivation.
AU of them arc natives of Britain, and may be gathered wüd at certain seasons,
so that though they do not enter into the plot of the cottager, they arc, or may
be, enjoyed by him. In Poland and Russia, there ai-e above thirty edible sorts of
fimgi m common use among the peasantry. They are gathered in all the different stages
ot their growth, and used m various ways—raw, boiled, stewed, roasted; and being
hung up and dried in their stoves or chimneys, from a part of their winter stock of provisions.
Fungi, however, are not equally abundant in Britain, owing to the gcncr.ti
cultivation of the soil ; and therefore the good sorts being little familiar to the cottao-er
most of them are passed oyer as deleterious. Indeed, the greatest caution is requisiti in
selecting any species of this tribe for food ; and though ivc h^ive given a catalogue both
of the good and bad sorts of muslirooms, we can advise none but the botanist to search
attcr any but the common sort (zigáricus campéstris) aS food.
S u b s e c t . 1. Cultivated Mushroom. — Agáricus campéstris L.and Sowerby, A. edùlis
Bulhard Bot. Fungi, t. 1 .) ; Cryptogàmia Fùngi L. and of the natural order of
J ungi Gymnocárpi Persoon. Champignon Comestible Fr. ; Essbare Blatterschamme
Gor. ; Hampernoelje, Dutch; and Bratajuolo, Ital. (fig. 787.).
4242, The mushroom is a -well known native vegetable,
springing up in open pastures in August and September.
It is most readily distinguished, when of middle size, by
its fine pink or flesh-coloured gills, and pleasant smell ; in
a more advanced stage, the gills become of a chocolate
colour, and it is then more apt to be confounded with other
lands of dubious quality ; but that species which most ncai-ly
resembles it, is slimy to the touch, and destitute of the fino
odour, haying rather a disagreeable smell : farther, the
noxious kind grows iu woods-or on tho margins of woods,
while tlic true mushi-ooni springs up chiefly in open pastures,
and should be gathered only in such places.
4243. Use. Tho garden-mushroom is eaten fresh, either stewed or boiled ; and preserved as a pickle,
or in powder, or dried whole. Tlio sauce coininoiily called ketchup (supposed, by Martyn, from the J a panese,
h it-jap') is, or ought to be, made from its juico, witli salt and spices. Wild mushrooms, from
old pastures, arc generally considered as more delicate in flavour, aud more tender in flesh, than those
raised in artificial beds. But tho young, or button mushrooms, of the niitivated sort, are firmer and
better for pickling ; and in using cultivated mushrooms, there is evidently much loss risk of deleterious
kinds being employed.
4244. Species, t h e following catalogue of edible and poisonous mushrooms is taken from Sowerby’s
splendid work on English fungi.
EdihU Sorts.
Apdricuscampdsiris. Cominon
field, or cultivated inush-
A. yiotdceus. Violet, or bluo.
A. CinnamSmaiis. Cinnamon
A. laclijluus. Milky.
A. Chantarellus. Chantarelle.
A. pratAnsis. Champignon.
A. auranCiacus. Orange.
A. solilärius. Solitary.
A. procdrus. Tlie gnsette of
the French, or Tall.
A. ¿eZtciösus. Sweet mush-
A. V Maussoron
Davgerous Sorts.
A. campéstris var. Dangerous]
variety of cultivated mueh-
A. pipcràtus. Pepper.
A. cami)anulö.tus. Bell.
A. mammòsus. Nipple.
A. auranùacus var. Dangerous
variety of orango mush-
A. necàtor.
A.viròsus. Poisonous, ortoad-
stool.
4245. G en e ra l c r ite r ia o f wholesome a n d d eleterious fu n g i . Unwliolesome fungi will sometimes spring
up even on artificial bods in gardens; thus, when tho spawn begins to run, a spurious brood are often
found to precede a crop of genuine mushrooms. The baneful quality of the toad-stool {A . virbsus) is,
in general, indicated b y a sickly nauseous smell ; tliough some hurtful sorts are so far without any thing
disagreeable in the smell, as to make .any criterion, drawn from th at alone, very unsafe. The wholesome
kinds, however, invariably emit a grateful rich scent.
424Ö. A n tid o te to p oisonous sorts. All fungi should be used with great c.aiition, for even thQ champ
ig n o n and edible garden-mushrooms possess deleterious qualities when grown in certain places. All
the edible species should be thoroughly m asticated before taken into the stomach, as this greatly lessens
the effects of poisons. When accidents of this sort happen, vomiting should be immediately excited, and
then th e vegetable acids should be given, either vinegar, lemon-juice, or that of apples ; after which
give ether and antispasmodic remedies, to stop th e excessive bilious vomiting. Infusions of gall-nut,
oak-bark, and Peruvian bark, are recommended as capable of neutralising the poisonous principle of
mushrooms. It is. however, the safest way not to eat any of thegoeri but less common sorts, un til they
have been soaked in vmegar. Spirit of wine and vinegar extra ct some p a rt of their poison ; and tannin
matter decomposes the greatest part of it. {B o ta n is t’s Companion, vol. ii. p. 145.)
4247. CuUure. F or th e culture of th e common mushroom, sec Chap. V II. Sect. XIV. (335G.). With
respect to th e other edible sorts, as already oli.served, they are seldom gathered for use in Brìtain, excepting
by experienced botanists ; and none of them, as far as we know, have yet been brought under
cultivation. We think, however, th a t som eo f them, as th e jJ. aurantiacus, delicibsus, and zl. p ratensis,
might very readily, and without danger, be introduced to the garden ; treating them like the
garden-mushroom, or imitating the climate of the season of the year iu which they are found in perfection,
and the soil, situation, and exposure, &c., where they are found in greatest abundance, and of
th e best quality. In th e first instance, it wouid, perhaps, be preferable to propagate from seed, in order
to make sure of the species. In th e present improved state of horticulture, if this branch of culture
wore once attempted, it would soon bo rendered available by every gardener who can cultivate th e common
mushroom.
S u b s e c t . 2 . Morel. — Phallus esculéntus L., Helvélla esculènta o i Soi7crby (tab. 51.) ;
and Morchella escidénta of Persoon. CryptogàmiaFùngi L. and Gymnocurpi Persoon.
In French, Gennan, and Italian, not distinguished from the
Champignon by any popular name (fig. 788.).
4248. The morel is distinguished by its cylindrical, solid, or
hollow stem, white aud smooth ; the cap is hollow witliin, and
adhering to the stem by its base, and latticed ou the surface
with irregular sinuses. The height is about 4 in. It rises in
the spring months, in wet banks, in woods, and in moist pastures.
It is in perfection in May and June, and should uot be
gathered when wet with dew, or soon after rain. Gathered diy,
tiiey will keep sevcrai months.
4249. Use. Morels are used, either fresh or dried, as an ingredient to
heighten th e flavour of gravies, ragouts, &c.
42.50. Culture . Though this vegetable has not yet been introduced in
garden culture, like th e mushroom, there can be no doubt of the attempt
being attended with success. The spawn should be collected in June, and
planted in beds or ridges, differently composed, and some laid up for use in
dry and moist envelopements, in order, by experiment, to come to the best
mode of cultivation. Lightfoot says he has raised the Phallus from seed.
S u b s e c t . 3. Truffle, or Subterraneous Puff-baU.—Tuber cibàrium Sibth. ancl dlhidum
CaiS. (Sowerby, tab. 309.) ; Cryptogàmia Fungi L. and Angiocurpi Per. Truffe, Fi’. ;
Trüffel, Gcr. ; Aardnoot, Dutch ; and Tartufo nero, Ital. (fig. 789.).
4251. The is a subten-ancous fungus, gi’owing
naturally some inches below the surface in different parts
of Britain ; and very common in tho downs of Wiltshire,
Hampshire, and Kent, where dogs are trained to scent it
out. Tho dogs point out the spot by scraping and baiddng;
and the tmffles, which arc generally found in clusters, aro
dug up with a spade. The trafile is globular, seldom tho
size of a hen’s egg, without any root, and either of a dark
colour, approaching to blackness, as in the T. cihài-ium,
or whitish, as in the other species. The surface is uneven
and rough ; the flesh firm, white while yuuiig, but when old, it becomes black, with
whitish veins.
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