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" To protect mushrooms grown in fields from thieves, and to 

 secure a conviction in case of the latter being caught gathering 

 them, place a board up in the field containing the following notice : 

 " Mushrooms Cultivated Here ". Salt should be occasionally strewn 

 over the field and spawn inserted, then there will be ample justi- 

 fication for stating that mushrooms are cultivated, and anyone 

 caught gathering them may be prosecuted for theft, as well as 

 trespass. In the event of no notice being exhibited in a field in 

 which mushrooms are grown naturally, the only remedy against a 

 person gathering them is a prosecution for trespass. " 



The truffle (Tuber aestivuni) is described as " an underground 

 fungus of a blackish-brown colour, and with a warty skin. It grows 

 chiefly in the Wiltshire, Hampshire, and Kentish downs, and can 

 only be found by dogs or swine specially trained for the purpose. 

 They ascertain by the scent the presence of the fungi beneath, and 

 in this way only can the Truffle be discovered. The Truffle has 

 a peculiar and delicious flavour, which is highly appreciated by 

 gourmets. It is said that the flavour is most pronounced if the 

 truffles are cooked when quite fresh. Truffles are more abundant 

 in the south of France than here ; or, at any rate, thay are sought 

 for and found in larger quantities than in England. Dried truffles 

 cost from 155. to 208. per pound in London. Attempts have been 

 made to cultivate the truffle, but without success. 



The mushrooms chiefly eaten in England are reported as the 

 common mushroom, Agaricus campestris; the Champignon or Scot's 

 Bonnet, Marasmius oreades ; the Horse Mushroom, Agaricus arvensis ; 

 the Giant Puftball, Lycoperdon giganteum; the maned Agaric, Co- 

 prinus comalus; the Plum Mushroom, Agaricus prunulus ; and a few 

 others, but the first is stated to be the only species grown artificially. 



