The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1899-03-17
GRUFFLES.

ship the trtIf1e hears to the mushroom.
The subjects are not currclative TO
he sure, both are seemingly spontan-
eous products of the earth. but the
most learned cntomoIoyist. who would
he crazed at the sight of Il new brand
OF butterfly. mi 9ht be rs an unIettered
heathen on the subject of eagles. The
mushroom is an humble growth and
reaches its highest perfection in this
country. The trutlie is an aristocrat
and p,lrelv 4 foreign institution. The
appearance, of trutilpS before the nara
tor invariably brings to mind Il French
title. which long stood in Chestnut
street window. 1t pictured cupid.
with the clnven feet of Il goat-a sort
of baby satyr without the horns
astridc pig. who WAS represented as
grunting in the regular porcine way.
':Trutilc. truiilc. The meaning of this
allegory is plain to one who under
stands that the French aScribe to the
tlufllc amatory p"wcrs-hencc the
Cupid, but the love thus formed is ofa
rcckle>~,v passionate and animal char
acter-hcncr the >atNr-ikc cNlrrmities.
Trained pigs are frequently used in
hunting for trutlles. their SHOUTS root
inc mp the ground rs they wohble
along. and the artist has transformed
the grunt of the animal into a constant
repetition of the name of the article it
is seeking. When the trutfle is up
turned the boy is supposed to take it
from the hog 5 teeth lay small spear
which he carries.
The trutfle is cryptogamic plant
having no visible means of tructitica-
ton, YOU KNOWS subterranean in its
habits, and is found at ALL sorts of
depths below the soil, from two inches
to two feet. 1t possesses neither root,
stem nor leaf. and varies in color from
light brown to black 1t is somewhat
gluhuar in form. ranges in size from
that of lilbcrt to large ducks egg
and weighs anywhere from two ounces
to four pounds or more. Its surface
is knottv or wartv and is covered with
Il skin which forms Il sort of network
Of serpcntine vines. Little is known
of its early development as a vegetable
production. In its native state it is
found free from attachment to any
other body The old writer's frequent
" refer to it. Pliny considered it an
eXcrescence of the earth. Plutarch
ascribed its existence to the combined
action of thunder, heat and damp, pro
ducng Jumps in the earth similar to
tuberous swcllings in the human frame.
In another place he held that it WAS
the result of n wound in the root Of an
oak caused 10y some insect wishing to
deposit its eggs, thus producing swell
ing after the manner of a gall nut.
The trutlle is found in most parts OF
the temperate zone. 1t existence in
this country is very doubtful. An
nouncements that they have been
found, when traced to the source there
of, have resulted in the discovery that
the product referred to vas generally
a growth of Indian bread or tuckal.~,.
There is 4 fungus found in this locality
and frequently exposed for sale on
market stalls and in fruit stores that is
called the "Amcrican truflle," but this
is entirely misnomer The growth
referred to is more similar to q mush-
room than trutlle, 'hough lacking the
umhrella-like head Of the former 1t is
not unlike a button mushroom When
cooked, however. the mushroom be-
comes of dark colon. while the Amer
lean trutile" retains its natural white
color. 1t probably derives its popular
name from the fact that it grows be-
meath the ground its presence being
indicated by slight swelling of the
earth. like an ant hill. and it grows in
sandy or "ravrily soil. The lots on
North Broad street contain quantities
of them. Its proper name is root
bread" 1t is very delicious and whole
some when properly cooked. The true
truflle is common in Central and South
crn Europe, Algeria and Piedmont.
England produces Il moderate quantity.
The French trutllcs are decidedly
superior to those Of any other country,
but vary in flavor according to the
places of growth.
Great quantities are shipped to this
country. OF course with such an eN-
pensive article of food frauds are per
petratou, anu reStaUratcrS cannot Oe
too careful in examining their import;,-
tions. One well-known hotel man said
/ that Il recent invoice of trufiies de
! lighted him 10y their uniform blacHness
without. He cut them open, however
and found them Strcakcd with white
sign OF an inferior article-and
promptly shipped six cases back t,
/ France. That country alone consumes
/ more trufflcs than she grows. Bogus
/ truiileS are sometimes made of diseased
/ potatoes, favored and colored 10y
/ chemicals. Many are stuffed with clay
/ to increase their size. Walnut rinds
/ and nuts are also used. 1t was lone
an open question whether or not trnt
ies could be artiiiciaIlv produced. At
tcmpts made in England were finally