404 ■ Instructions for Tntffle-SearcTiing. 



trufEe is lightly covered with earth, and the dog is told to "seek 

 what is lost." If he do not find it, he is led to the place, and 

 attempts are then made to induce him to scent and grub out 

 what is hidden. The dog must then be rewarded in the way 

 that has been already so often mentioned. 



The dog is assiduously practised in this " seeking what is 

 lost;" the truffle is put deeper into the earth, and the dog is 

 now first taken into actual truffle districts. The proceeding 

 there is to be the same as before. Never omit to encourage hin^ 

 when he finds, and points out the place by scratching. By 

 degrees he is accustomed to a continued regular search, like a 

 setting dog; and he is admonished by the thrilling whistle with 

 the mouth, by the expression, " Seek further," or " Go seek,'* 

 or " Forward." When the dog scents a ripe truffle, and draws 

 to, or in any way approaches it, as hounds do when they scent 

 any thing, his instructor says, "That's right," "Gently," &c., to 

 make him more careful and diligent till he points it out. Here 

 endeavours are made, by further speaking to him, either to pre- 

 vent his injuring, digging out, and eating the truffle; or else, by 

 the word " Fetch," to make him bring it to his master when he 

 has completely dug it out, which is easily done when it lies near 

 the surface. 



When a dog begins to break into the truffles, and to eat 

 them, or when he refuses to give them up, endeavours must be 

 made to break him of this by gentle punishment, and by holding 

 out bread to him. He must likewise be chid for digging after 

 mice, or hunting after birds and hares, to which poodles are 

 inclined. 



By a little practice, the dog soon acquires a certain degree of 

 steadiness ; and, after these two courses of instruction, is imme- 

 diately fit to be used in truffle-searching, of which a short outline 

 will now be added. It must still, however, be observed, that the 

 dogs must have good and nourishing food, chiefly of vegetables. 

 They must not run at large too much, but be confined a good deal 

 to the kennel ; and, to keep them in practice, they must be led 

 out to seek truffles the whole year through, although no great 

 quantity can be expected to be met with. 



§ 1 4. Triiffle-Himting^ or Search^ with Dogs. — When the truffle- 

 hunter goes out upon search, he must beforehand be able to 

 form an opinion in what places, according to the districts, 

 truffles are to be found ; he must be acquainted with the local- 

 ities. When he goes out upon search, he must either not feed 

 his dogs at all, or very sparingly, that they may be diligent in 

 seeking. This precept is also observed in the chase of every 

 kind of game, and with every species of hound. He must, 

 lastly, be furnished with bread for his dogs, and with the neces- 

 sary implements. He can seldom in his search superintend 



