A Philosophical Treatise of Husbandry and Gardening : being a new method of cultivating and increasing all sorts of trees, shrubs, and flowers. A very curious work: containing many useful secrets in Nature, for helping the vegetation of trees and plants, and for fertilizing the most stubborn soils. By G. A. Agricola, M. D. and Doctor in Philosophy at Ratisbonne. Translated from the High-Dutch, with remarks: and adorn'd with cuts. The whole revised and compared with the original, together with a Preface, confirming this new method, by Richard Bradley, Fellow of the Royal Society.; Printed for P. Vaillant in the Strand
London: printed for P. Vaillant in the Strand, and W. Mears and F. Clay without Temple-Bar, MDCCXXI [1721]. Half-Calf. First Edition in English of the "first treatise on cuttings and graftings." (Hunt) Demy 4to (276 x 214mm): [24],300,[4]pp, with 31 (i.e. 33: in the numbering of plates, XXIII and XXVIII are repeated) engraved plates inserted on 22 sheets (some folding); head- and tail-pieces and historiated initials. Recent half calf over marbled boards, spine in sic compartments divided by gilt-ruled raised bands, small gilt ornaments, red morocco lettering piece gilt, title page printed in red and black, end papers renewed. An excellent example, beautifully bound to period style, generally fresh and bright (occasional light spotting and dust-soiling), with excellent impressions of the plates. Henrey II, 443-46 and III, 411. Hunt II, 452. Fine. Item #BB2754
First published in two volumes in German ("High-Dutch"), in 1716, as Neu-und nie erhörter doch in der Natur und Vernunfft wohlgegründeter Versuch der Universal- Vermehrung aller Bäume, Stauden, und Blumen-Gewächse, and soon afterward translated into French (1720), Dutch (1719), and this English edition. A key gardening text, in which Agricola announced a new method of propagating plants, by grafting twigs to roots of the same species and sealing the graft with a turpentine and pitch plaster he called "vegetable mummy." His text also explains "many Useful Secrets in Nature, for helping the Vegetation of Trees and Plants, and for fertilizing the most Stubborn Soils." The plates, reproduced from first German edition, illustrate Agricola's procedures, which were used by fruit growers for years. Richard Bradley (1688?-1732) was appointed first professor of botany at Cambridge in 1724. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).
Price: $1,399.00