The chestnut shoot is only four years old before it begins to bear. Three pounds of fresh chestnuts fetch about one penny-_dried_, or in flour, about double that price. The peasants bake a little cake of the chestnut flour called "_netche_," about the thickness of a crimpet, and having much the flavour and appearance of potato scones. This paste they bake between two hot stones, with a couple of the leaves of the chestnut (dried for the purpose by the peasants) interposed.