Excerpt from The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise, Its Habitat and Its Time of Growth: With Photographic Illustrations of Nearly All the Common Species

I would agree with those who might maintain that no Introduction is needed for this book on mushrooms. Nevertheless a word may not be out of place for the inception of the work is out Of the ordinary. Mr. Hard did not decide that a book on this subject was needed and then set about studying these interesting plants. He has Observed them, collected them, induced many friends to join in eating those which proved to be palatable and delicious - really meddled for years with the various kinds which are edible and otherwise, and then recently he has decided to publish a book on his favorite subject. The interesting occupation of photographing the mushrooms and the toadstools doubtless has contributed largely to the determination culminating in the materialization of the treatise.

If I have correctly apprehended the origin' and the contributing causes, we would expect this book to be different from the other books on mushrooms - not of course in scope and purpose; but the instruction and suggestions given, the descriptions and general remarks offered, the wide range of forms depicted in word and picture, the whole make up of the book in fact, will appeal to the people at large rather than the college student in particular.' The author does not write for the specially educated few, but for the mass of intelligent people - those who read and study, but who Observe more; those who are inclined to commune with nature as she displays herself in the' glens and glades, in the fields and forests, and who spend little, if any. Time chasing the forms or sketching the tissues that may be seen on the narrow stage Of a compound microscope.

The book then is for the beginner, and for all beginners; the college student will find that this is the guide to use when he is ready to begin studying the mushrooms; the teachers in the schools should all begin to study mushrooms now, and for the purpose they will find this book advantageous; the people who see mushrooms Often but do not know them may find here a book that really is a help.

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