1870.] NOTES OF THE MONTH. 149 



this root, mentioned in Genesis. It has long been the practice to 

 plant Acorns with the view of eventually finding Truffles ; but the 

 Acorns, says the writer, should be selected from Oaks under which 

 Truffles have been found : the season, the soil, the site, should all be 

 carefully chosen, and the Truffle-ground should not be disturbed after 

 May. Oak and Chestnut leaves may be used as manure, and a little 

 irrigation is not bad. Should a tree be cut down, the Truffles will 

 sulk and leave the roots for years, if not for ever ; and in fact will often 

 vanish if any of the larger branches be meddled with. Another curious 

 detail is, that as the trees grow, the Truffle circle formed round them 

 widens, and moves further away. The mysterious connection between 

 the tree and its satellites remains to be solved. As regards Truffle- 

 hunting, the sow is preferred to the hog, as being more docile and hav- 

 ing a finer nose. A good pig will scent Truffles at 50 or 60 yards, and 

 will very quickly lay them bare ; this done, some Acorns must be given 

 to the animal, who will otherwise refuse to hunt any more. A pig 

 may be hunted from the age of two till he attains five-and-twenty, but 

 it is at four years old that he possesses all his most brilliant qualities. 

 In a good many departments dogs are used, and they are easily taught 

 to hunt ; some are trained to scratch up the Truffles, others merely to 

 mark the spot. A dog takes as much interest in the pursuit of Truffles 

 as of game, manifesting the greatest pleasure in coming across a good 

 bed. For the most of the foregoing information we are indebted to 

 the Paris correspondent of ' Land and Water.' 



A somewhat interesting discussion is just being raised as to the 

 origin of Viola cornuta, var. Perfection, which was exhibited at a 

 meeting of the Koyal Horticultural Society in September last by Mr 

 Jobson, of Kotherfield Park, Alton, and awarded a first-class certificate 

 of merit. Mr B. S. Williams, who purchased the stock of it for dis- 

 tribution, claims it as a seedling raised by Mr Jobson, Y. cornuta 

 being one of its parents ; and he publicly intimates that " no plants 

 but those which come from this stock are true in character." All that 

 Mr Williams states in praise of this superb Viola is well deserved by 

 it, and there is no doubt but that it will prove an invaluable blue- 

 flowered summer bedding-plant, supplying a brilliant mauve-tinted 

 blue, much needed in gardens. Whether it will bloom early enough 

 in the spring to be of service for spring-bedding, remains to be seen ; 

 we think the chances are against its proving of much service so early 

 in the season. About its value there can be no difference of opinion ; 

 about its origin, much difference of opinion. Singular to state, a Viola 

 has been found in the Alton district, and especially about Salisbury, so 

 similar to the Rotherfield Viola, that an identity is claimed ; and cer- 

 tainly we could see no difference between them when placed before us 



