PAGE FOUR
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN, LAWRENCE, KANSAS
THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1950
Truffles, Long A European Delicacy, To Appear In USA
Truffles may eventually find a place on the American table. I current projects should prove successful, the United States may be eating more of this European delicacy.
The undertaking became known with the recent arrival at New York of a shipment of fresh truffles from Italy, a portion of which is to be used in agricultural experiments to determine the feasibility of truffle growing in American soil.
The truffle odor is a distinctive one. It has been described as "fruity fragrance," when taken in small quantities, and more specifically as something like pimentoes soaked in olive oil and sprinkled with garlic. The aromatic flavor long has made it popular in sauces, stuffings, and garnishes. One modern Italian recipe calls for baking potatoes and truffles in alternate layers, with grated cheese.
Many varieties of this fungus are found in Europe. Sizes range from the size of a pea to a large potato. It is found in colors from marble-black to brownish and gray-white. Some are common in England. In France and Italy high-quality trruffles form an important commercial group.
Trruffles are often collected in the wild state. In the last century successful efforts were made to cultivate them by creating favorable conditions for their growth. Vital in such cultivation is the planting and proper care of certain kinds of oak, as well as other trees, at the base of which the fungus grows.
The National Geographic Society explains that gathering truffles is more like mining than farming. Although cracks in the ground sometimes indicates their presence, "deposits" are usually located by trained pigs and dogs, whose sense of smell serves as a kind of Geiger counter.
Traffles belong to the simple fungus group of plants and are related to mushrooms and toadstools. They are tubers that grow in clusters a few inches or more underground.
The project is based on the still limited knowledge of the evident link between trees and truffles in the fungus' propagation and nourishment. The process, however, is a long ane and no results are expected for 8 to 10 years.
In current American experiments, cultures of the imported truffles are to be buried near the roots of oaks which are earlier transplanted from truffle-raising areas in Europe.
History shows that man has eaten truffles for thousands of years. The ancient Greeks and Romans prized them as delicacies. Classical writers left recipes as well as expressions of wonder at the truffle's curious rootless forms. In medieval times, vast amounts of truffles were consumed.
There are numerous literary references to the dish. The English diarist, John Evelyn, wrote in 1644 of "amongst other dainty" on "a dish of truffles, an earth nut found by an hogg trained to it." Thackery, around the middle 1800s, spoke glowingly of "such a quantity of goose liver and truffles," and of "fat truffle-stuffed partridges."
Miss Maude Beamer, instructor in English was chosen recently to represent the southwest region of the International Federation of University Women at an international conference August 5 through August 12 at Zurich, Switzerland.
Beamer Delegated To Conference
"I am looking forward not only to the trip with great pleasure, but especially to the conference as a source of information," Miss Beamer said.
Besides attending the conference she also plans to visit England, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy.
The trip will be her second to Europe. In 1930 she made a sightseeing and study tour of the continent. She has studied at the American Academy in Rome, Italy.
International problems of writing, art, politics, and teaching will be discussed at the conference by delegates from America and foreign countries.
Ohio Village Council Has A High School Girl Member
Harveysburg, O.—(U.P.) A high school girl is serving as a member of the village council here and local residents believe she may be the only student in the nation holding such a job.
Age was no barrier to the election of Miss Jane Ellen Fite to the council, since she's 25 years-old. Miss Fite returned to school here last September after dropping out seven years ago. She's a senior now.
Despite her age, Miss Fite is taking an active part in high school affairs and has been accepted by both pupils and teachers.
Radioactivity For Breakfast
Cambridge, Mass.—(U.P.)-Seventeen boys have been eating radioactive breakfasts at Massachusetts Institute of Technology for more than a year. Radioactively "tagged" portion of their meals are traced scientifically for studies in nutrition.
Select Your New Upholstery Material From Our Complete Stocks-
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Marjorie Newell Heads County Club
Marjorie Newell, education junior,
was elected chairman of the Jefferson county club, Statewide Activities committee, at a meeting held Tuesday in Miller hall.
Jessimal Strange, journalism senior, was elected secretary-treasurer, and Clifford Reusch, College freshman, was named social chairman. The group discussed plans for a Jefferson county alumni dinner to be held during spring vacation and, tentative plans were made for a picnic following spring vacation.
The club will meet again at 5 p.m.
Thursday, March 30 in Miller hall.
Big Job For 14-year-old
Boston—(U,P)—A probate court judge made Donald S. Farber, 14, "head of the home" with a weekly cash budget. The court transferred the boy's custody from his mother and ordered his re-married father to give him $21 a week, consisting of $18 for board and $3 for himself.
The chief executive of all federal prisons is the Attorney General.
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