EXTRACTS FROM PROCEEDINGS. 



xli 



which is perfectly free from variation will sometimes send up va- 

 riegated shoots from the roots, as appeared lately in the case of an 

 Elm at Chiswick ; and such shoots, when grafted, are permanently 

 variegated. 



A fine specimen of Bonatea speciosa was exhibited by Mr. 

 "Wilson Saunders, which occasioned a remark how curious that the 

 beautiful Cape Orchids should be so much neglected, though 

 many of them were figured by Buxbaum at the beginning of the 

 last century, Lachenalice, however, and other allied plants, being 

 confounded with them on account of their bulbs being somewhat 

 similar to the Orchid tubers. 



It was stated that experiments were commenced at Chiswick 

 respecting the possibility of cultivating Truffles. Mr. Gr. C. 

 Oxenden had kindly sent a small supply ; and others had been 

 procured from Mr. Charles Yates, an experienced Truffle-hunter 

 at Winterslow. It was, however, rather late in the year to get 

 good specimens, the season being almost over. An account was 

 given of the different attempts by the Yisconte Noe, Bornholz 

 (supposed by some to be a myth), and others. Some attempts 

 merely consisted in enclosing patches of ground, protecting them 

 from the ravages of wild swine, and sprinkling the soil with water 

 in which truffles had been rasped ; others, as in Poitou, in sowing 

 tracts of downs with acorns ; while others attempted either to get 

 the spawn to run, or to construct beds containing a proper admixture 

 of calcareous matter — to which latter plan the attempts at Chiswick 

 are at present confined. About ten years since, Mr. Disney, at 

 the Hyde, near Ingatestone, made similar experiments ; but as his 

 truffles were merely the sweepings of the drawers at Fortnum and 

 Mason's, it was not likely that they should succeed. Even there, 

 however, probably from some fresher specimen, tb ere seemed a tend- 

 ency to form spawn ; but Mr. Disney died shortly after the beds 

 were opened, and the experiments were not followed up with 

 better materials. The spawn is very delicate, and is said to be phos- 

 phorescent, and does not like to be disturbed. Calcareous matter 

 is absolutely essential, and perfect drainage. It is a mistake to 

 suppose that they will grow under beech-trees only ; hazel and oak 

 are just as good, and an admixture of firs is not injurious. 



The following sensible letter on the subject was received from 

 Charles Yates, and is very valuable as coming from a man who 

 has been engaged in the pursuit of truffle-hunting for nearly sixty 

 years, and who succeeded «to the experience of his father and 

 grandfather. 



