114 
season the greatest number of half-grown Truffles is to be found. 
About this time, the land is usually moist enough of itself, so 
that it is not necessary to water it to prevent its being dried 
up. But, in case it should be dry from great drought, it must 
assuredly be moistened in this manner ; in doing which, the wa- 
ter, nevertheless, must not be poured on in streams, as the ger- 
minating brood would thereby be easily choked, or entirely de- 
stroyed. It has already been observed, that, in the succeeding 
autumn, the new plantation should be covered with a layer of 
oak leaves. The plantation thus remains undisturbed till the 
next autumn, only that it is to be freed from large plants that 
shade it too much, and exhaust all the strength of the soil ; but 
small fine grasses must be suffered to remain, as they give the 
ground beneficial shade, and prevent too great exhalation. In 
general, at least in the first years, let endeavours be made to 
imitate the wood soil as much as possible, in order to obtain 
the sooner a rich return of Truffles. In the first year, the 
Truffles will be little increased. These fungi have, as yet, too 
little strength to act powerfully upon the environs, and to com- 
pel them to bring forth a large number of tubers. If the plan- 
tations have been made in the spring, there will be found in the 
next autumn some few young Trufiles, about the size of a nut, 
with a yellowish outer rind, and of a spongy consistence; an 
indication that they must remain a longer time to attain their 
ripeness, and along with it, their firm consistence and dark co- 
lour. In the mean time, these young Truffles are the most cer- 
tain indication that the plantation has succeeded, and that a 
well-furnished Truffle bed will be obtained in the sequel. 
By the preceding observations, it will be seen that the old 
black vegetable soil of woods must be obtained or imitated, as 
a compost to favour the growth of Trufiles ; that the situation 
should be moderately shaded from the summer sun by trees, 
and a regular moisture maintained, without approaching the 
quality of a marsh. An old Wood or Forest, or well estab- 
lished Shrubbery will generally afford a better situation for 
Truffle beds than a garden. A small open space in either of 
these, partially shaded by any trees excepting firs, and posses- 
sing the qualifications previously mentioned, should if possi- 
ble, be chosen. The best manure to stimulate the growth, 
and yield a fine flavour, according to the authority we have 
