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Laurence (John) A New System of Agriculture. Being a Complete Body of Husbandry and Gardening, first edition, engraved frontispiece and 2 plates, a few engraved illustrations, a few minor stains, small worm-holes to upper margin of first few leaves, generally clean and crisp, contemporary calf, rubbed, extremities worn, [Fussell I pp.100-102; Henrey 945; Hunt 466; Perkins 950], folio, for Tho. Woodward, 1726.⁂ Provenance: Skene Library (bookplate).

Ireland.- Boate (Gerard) Irelands Naturall History. Being a true and ample description of its situation, greatness, shape, and nature... what diseases it is free from, or subject unto. Conducing the advancement of navigation, husbandry, and other profitable arts and trades, first Dublin edition, Peter Le Neve's copy with his ink ownership inscription "Pe.Neve Norroy" to title and with his ink annotations to several pp., 11 engraved plates, 7 folding, lacking final blank, large folding plate of the Giants Causeway torn without loss, lacking final blank, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, 4to, for George Grierson, 1726.⁂ Peter Le Neve (1661-1729), herald and antiquary, he became Norroy king of arms in April 1704.

Gardens.- Langley (Batty) Practical Geometry applied to the Useful Arts of Building, Surveying, Gardening and Mensuration...for the service of Gentlemen as well as Artisans, first edition, title in red and black, woodcut head- & tail-pieces and initials, 40 folding or double-page engraved plates, some light foxing and marginal staining, contemporary panelled calf, rubbed, rebacked, corners repaired, [Harris 465], folio, W.& J. Innys [& others], 1726.

Hales (Stephen) Vegetable Staticks: Or, An Account of some Experiments on the Sap in Vegetables, first edition, 19 engraved plates, title stained, some foxing, contemporary panelled calf, rubbed, joints cracked, spine ends chipped, [cf. PMM 189], Printed for W. and J. Innys...and T. Woodward, 1727; Statical Essays, 2 vol., mixed set, vol.1 (i.e. Vegetable Staticks) third edition, vol.2 first edition, vol.1 with 19 engraved plates, occasional foxing and soiling, contemporary calf, worn, 1738-33; La Statique des Vegetaux, first French edition, translated by Buffon, 20 folding engraved plates on 10 sheets, some marginal damp-staining, contemporary calf, head of spine chipped, Paris, 1735, 8vo and 4to (4)⁂ Hales' important and pioneering works which influenced de Saussure, Black, Lavoisier and Priestley inter alia. "He was the first to realize that carbon dioxide was supplied to plants by the air and formed a vital part of the plant's food supply...He was also a pioneer of public health. He supported the temperance movement and was responsible for the introduction of the 'gin laws'. He was the inventor of artificial ventilation...he developed methods for measuring unfathomable depths, for distilling fresh water from the sea, and for the preservation of meat and water on voyages." (PMM).

Estate Management.- Laurence (Edward) The Duty of A Steward to his Lord, first edition, engraved map and plate, both double-page, ownership inscription of Robert Beecham (dated 1785) at head of title, contemporary panelled calf, Printed for John Shuckburgh, 1727 § Kent (Nathaniel) Hints to Gentlemen of Landed Property, first edition, 10 folding engraved plates, contemporary calf, head of spine nicked, 1775; and 6 others, later editions of the same, 4to and 8vo (8)

Wine.- [J. (S.)] The Vineyard: being a Treatise shewing I. The Nature and Method of Planting, Manuring, Cultivating, and Dressing of Vines in Foreign-Parts. II. Proper Directions for Drawing, Pressing, Making, Keeping, Fining, and Curing all Defects in the Wine, first edition, engraved frontispiece by Fletcher after Cooper, woodcut illustration in text, initials and head-pieces, ink ownership inscription to title, bookplate of William Gilstrap, contemporary panelled calf, corners a little worn, [Henrey 870; Simon BG 1580], 8vo, printed for W. Mears at the Lamb without Temple-Bar, 1727. ⁂ Includes the first detailed description in English of wine making in Champagne.

Bradley (Richard) A Complete Body of Husbandry, first edition, title in red and black, 4 engraved plates (2 folding), lacks half-title, ink inscription at head of title, slightly browned, contemporary speckled calf, slightly rubbed, corners bumped, joints splitting, gilt spine, rubbed, red morocco label with small tear, [Fussell pp. 111-112; Perkins 213], James Woodman and David Lyon, 1727; and 8 others, Richard Bradley, 8vo (9).

Bradley (Richard) A Complete Body of Husbandry; collected from the Practice and Experience of the most considerable Farmers in Britain, first Dublin edition, 4 engraved plates (2 folding), 1p. of advertisements at end, slightly browned, contemporary calf, red morocco label on spine, [Fussell pp.111-112; Perkins 213], Dublin, J. Watts, 1727.⁂ Scarce. Published in the same year as the first edition.

Bradley (Richard) Ten Practical Discourses concerning Earth and Water, Fire and Air, as they relate to the Growth of Plants, first edition, 5pp. advertisements at end, ink signature at head of title, slight stain at head of title and preface, A3 cut at tail slightly affecting Contents f., M2 small triangular shaped hole affecting a few letters on last line of text, upper margins trimmed affecting a few headlines, slightly browned, ink signature at head of title and another on advertisement page, engraved bookplate of Alfred Ashworth of Gresford Hall on front pastedown, later calf-backed boards, [Fussell pp.106-113; Henrey 510; McDonald pp.170-176], 8vo, Westminster, Printed by J.Cluer and A. Campbell, for B. Creake at the Bible in Jermyn-Street, St. James, 1727.⁂ Alfred Ashworth (1843-1910), textiles manufacturer. The Ashworths were an established family of yeoman farmers in central Lancashire who had moved into textile manufacture in the 18th century and become very prosperous. In 1898 Ashworth moved to Horsley Hall near Gresford, Denbighshire. He had Horsley Hall enlarged and remodelled in a Jacobean style and laid out extensive gardens.

Gardens.- Switzer (Stephen) The Practical Kitchen Gardiner: Or, A New and Entire System of Directions For his Employment in the Melonry, Kitchen-Garden, and Potagery...To which is added...The Method of Raising Cucumbers and Melons, Mushrooms, Borecole, Broccoli, Potatoes, and other curious and useful Plants, first edition, 3 folding engraved plans, one torn, some light spotting or soiling, a little water-staining to inner margin, contemporary calf, rubbed, spine ends worn, upper cover detached, [Fussell p.118-121; Henrey 1417; Hunt 469; Maclean pp.139-140], 8vo, for Tho.Woodward, 1727.

Gardens.- Langley (Batty) New Principles of Gardening: Or The Laying Out and Planting [of] Parterres, Groves, Widernesses, Labyrinths, Avenues, Parks, &c., first edition, folding engraved frontispiece and 27 folding or double-page plates and plans, lacking title and M3 (pp.85-86) but both supplied in manuscript (title with advertisement on verso), frontispiece torn and frayed with some loss to image (laid down), some other tears to plates repaired, plate 3 with small ink stains, with embossed stamp of F.H. Cripps-Day to outer margin of dedication and his signature on front pastedown, contemporary panelled calf, rubbed, corners worn, rebacked with gilt spine, upper cover detached, [Berlin Kat. 3414; Harris 462; Henrey 927], for A. Bettesworth and J. Batley [&c.], 1728 [1727]; and a water-stained copy of The Landed Gentleman's Useful Companion... of 1741, 4to & 8vo (2)⁂ Langley disliked formality in garden design and favoured planting in what appeared a natural manner. He is particularly known for his labyrinths and this work includes many plans of mazes, also much on kitchen and physic gardens. In this issue, there was an 'Advertisement to the nobility and gentry of Great Britain' printed on the verso of the titlepage, and there are four contents leaves inserted after the introduction. Pages iv and v in the preliminaries are mis-numbered xi and x.

Trowell (Thomas) The Kentish Farmer: wherein are contain'd the Best Approved Medicines For Curing the Most Inveterate Distempers in Horses, Bullocks, Hogs, &c., first edition, woodcut illustrations, some soiling, uncut, Printed for R. Wilkin, 1728; bound after 2 works by William Ellis, including a first edition of The Timber-Tree Improved, 1738, together 3 works in 1, modern half calf, 8vo⁂ The first item is rare with ESTC only locating 6 copies (including this one) and none of these in N. America. Only one appearance at auction (2011).

Langley (Batty) A Sure Method of Improving Estates, by Plantation of Oak, Elm, Ash, Beech, and other Timber-Trees, Coppice-Woods, &c., first edition, title in red and black, folding engraved plate, contemporary sprinkled calf, head of spine chipped, [Fussell I, p.27; Goldsmiths' 6587; Henrey 929; Hunt 473], 8vo, Printed for Francis Clay and Daniel Browne, 1728.⁂ A very good copy; this issue with pp.vii-xx correctly numbered.

Fossils.- Woodward (John) Fossils of all Kinds, first edition, 7 engraved plates, 1 folding, folding table, lacking the 2 unsigned 'Preface' leaves as often, autograph note in a contemporary hand signed 'E. Steele' tipped in at rear, ink inscription to front free endpaper, contemporary panelled calf, 8vo, for William Innys, 1728.⁂ An attractive copy of this important work in which Woodward argued that the surface of the earth was divided into strata and that many of the fossils discovered therein came originally from the sea.

Houghton (John) Husbandry and Trade Improv'd, 4vol., second edition, title in red and black, ink inscription to vol.1 title, contemporary calf, later spine labels, some joints cracked but holding firm, printed for Woodman and Lyon, 1728 § Mills (John) A Treatise on Cattle, numerous ink inscriptions to endpapers including 'Remedy for scab' and 'Goose grease will kill lice', contemporary calf, spine chipped at head, [cf. Fussell p.49 (London edition], Dublin, Printed for W. Whitestone, 1776 § Mortimer (John) The Whole Art of Husbandry; or, The Way of Managing and Improving of Land, second edition, woodcut illustrations, very light damp-staining to first 3 gatherings, bookplate of J.W.Knightley, contemporary panelled calf, upper joint cracked but holding firm, [Fussell p.97; Goldsmiths' 4474], 8vo, printed by J. H. for H. Mortlock at the Phoenix, and J. Robinson at the Golden Lion in St. Paul's Church-Yard, 1708 § Dickson (Adam) The Husbandry of the Ancients, 2 vol., first edition, engraved plate, contemporary tree calf, J. Dickson & W. Creech, Edinburgh, 1788; and 12 others, agriculture, 8vo (20)

Bradley (Richard) The Riches of a Hop-Garden explain'd, first edition, title in red and black, engraved frontispiece, browned, modern library cloth, [Henrey 505], 8vo, Charles Davis and Thomas Green, 1729.

Gardens.- Switzer (Stephen) An Introduction to a General System of Hydrostaticks and Hydraulicks, Philosophical and Practical..., 2 vol., first edition, engraved frontispiece and 61 plates, all but one folding, some spotting and soiling, a few plates torn (mostly at edges), plate 34 slightly damaged where previously adhered, bookplate of James Easton, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, upper cover of vol.1 detached, [Berlin Kat 3614; Bibliotheca Mechanica p.309], 4to, for T. Astley, 1729.⁂ Including the origin of springs, steam-engines for raising water, and fountains. Switzer worked on the design of the gardens at Castle Howard, Blenheim and Kensington Palace.

Europe.- Wright (Edward) Some Observations made in Travelling through France, Italy, &c., 2 vol., first edition, 41 engraved plates, some folding, a few illustrations, one full-page, contemporary calf, joints cracked, extremities a little worn, Printed for Tho. Ward and E. Wicksteed, 1730 § Townsend (Joseph) A Journey through Spain, 3 vol., first edition, 7 engraved plates, some foxing, contemporary calf, worn, vol.3 half of backstrip missing, 1791 § Radcliff (Rev. Thomas) A Report on the Agriculture of Eastern and Western Flanders, 12 engraved maps and plates, 1 hand-coloured, later half calf, 1819 § Berchtold (Count Leopold) An Essay to direct and extend the Inquiries of Patriotic Travellers, 2 vol., engraved titles, frontispiece to vol.1, folding tables, staining at beginning of vol.1, library cloth, Printed for the Author, 1789; and 10 others, European travel with agricultural interest, v.s. (18)

Gardens.- Cowell (John) The Curious and Profitable Gardener..., 2 parts in 1, first edition, with the 4pp. contents (not found in all copies), half-title to part 2, folding hand-coloured engraved plate of bananas (short tear at inner edge and along platemark, occasional soiling, contemporary panelled calf, rubbed, spine chipped at head, [Henrey 579; Hunt 482; Nissen BBI 418], 8vo, for Weaver Bickerton...and Richard Montagu, 1730. ⁂ Scarce work including a chapter on the "choicest Fruits of the East and West-Indies" which discusses the banana, pineapple and guava, amongst other fruits.

[Rye (George)] Considerations on Agriculture. Treating of the Several Methods Practised in Different Parts of the Kingdom of Ireland... to which is added, Mr Pierson's two Tracts of the Present State of the Tillage in Ireland, 3 parts in 1 vol., first edition, woodcut device to title, woodcut head-pieces and initials, engraved folding plate, contemporary calf, gilt, upper cover detached, [Kress S.3862], 8vo, Dublin, George Grierson, 1730.⁂ Rare at auction, we can trace only one copy in the last 70 years.

Tull (Jethro) The New Horse-Houghing Husbandry: or, an Essay on the Principles of Tillage and Vegetation. Wherein is shewn, a Method of Introducing a Sort of Vineyard-culture into the Corn-fields, in order to increase their Product, and Diminish the Common Expence, by the use of Instruments Lately Invented, first edition, woodcut initials, head- and tail-pieces, some very light foxing or spotting to title and final f., but otherwise internally a remarkably clean and fine example, 20th century morocco-backed boards, uncut, [Fussell p.1; PMM 188; not in Goldsmiths' or Kress], 4to, Printed for the Author, 1731. ⁂ The rare first edition of this pioneering work, which acted as a catalyst for debate on agricultural methods. Most notable were Tull's seed drill, which sowed economical neat rows of seed and his horse-drawn hoe, which cleared weeds and, in his opinion, reduced the need for manures as the pulverisation of the hoe released the nutrients in the soil. Both met with an initial reluctance, but were slowly adopted and formed the basis for modern farming.Provenance: Rothamsted acquisition date 1919.

Gardens.- Switzer (Stephen) The Country Gentleman's Companion, 2 parts in 1, engraved folding plate and full-page illustration, no H8 or I1 but apparently complete, modern half calf, spine faded, for T.Astley, 1732; The Nobleman, Gentleman, and Gardener's Recreation, first edition, engraved frontispiece, lacking A8 of preliminaries, C3 supplied from another copy (smaller and tipped to stub), contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, for B.Barker, 1715; An Universal System of Water and Water-Works, 2 vol. in 1, engraved frontispiece and 60 plates only (of 61, lacking plate 60), many folding, contemporary calf, upper cover detached, for Thomas Cox, 1734; Ichnographia Rustica: or, the Nobleman, Gentleman, and Gardener's Recreation, 3 vol., engraved frontispiece and 53 engraved plates only (of 54, lacking plate 21 in vol.2, supplied in facsimile), many folding, a few plates trimmed with slight loss, contemporary calf, rebacked, spine ends slightly worn, for J. & J. Fox [& others], 1742, occasional soiling or browning, all but the first rubbed or worn; and a second edition of The Practical Fruit-Gardener by the same, 8vo (7)⁂ The first comprises 'A Compendious Method for the Raising of the Italian Brocoli, Spanish Cardoon, Celeriac, Finochi, and other Foreign Kitchen-Vegetables', fifth edition, and 'A Dissertation of the True Cythisus of the Ancients'. This copy also contains 1735 editions of each bound in at end but without the general title. The fourth has an appendix at the end of vol.3 including chapters on the motion of sap and a dissertation on mushrooms.

Fruit-trees.- Two New and Curious Essays: I. Concerning the best Methods of Pruning Fruit-Trees...II. A Discourse concerning the Improvement of that Excellent Root the Potatoe..., first edition, title and final leaf soiled, a few leaves slightly frayed at corners, browning, one or two small stains, modern boards, [Henrey 1445], 8vo, for W.Bickerton [& others], 1732.⁂ Rare; ESTC lists only 3 copies in the UK (BL, Oxford & Royal Agricultural Society of England) and 5 in America. Henrey lists 4 copies including the Lindley Library of the Royal Horticultural Society. We can find no example sold at auction but for part of a collection of pamphlets in 1989.

Tull (Jethro) The Horse-Hoing Husbandry: or, an Essay on the Principles of Tillage and Vegetation. Wherein is shewn a method of introducing a sort of Vineyard-culture into the Corn-fields, in order to increase their product, and diminish the common expence; by the use of instruments described in cuts, second edition, first edition to contain the plates depicting Tull's implements , initial imprimatur f., 6 engraved plates, occasional light spotting, ink ownership inscription to front free endpaper, contemporary panelled calf, some minor splitting to head of upper joint, a very good copy, [Fussell p.125; Goldsmiths' 7065; Perkins 1782; PMM 188], printed for the author, 1733.⁂ A much enlarged version and the first to contain pictorial depictions of Tull's revolutionary implements..Provenance: Sir Alexander Boswell, first Bart. (1775-1822), first son of James Boswell, took an active interest in agricultural improvement on his estates.

Brewing.- [Ellis (William)] The London and Country Brewer, modern calf, spine faded, Dublin, Printed by M. Rhames, for R. Gunne, 1735.⁂ Corresponds to part 1 (of 3) of the first English edition. Rare, ESTC locates 7 copies (only one of which, Library of Congress, is in N. America). No record of a Dublin edition, or London with such an early date, at auction.

Scotland.- True (A) Method of Treating Light Hazely Ground; Or, an exact Relation of the Practice of Farmers in Buchan: Containing Rules for Infields, Outfields, Haughs and Laighs. By a small Society of Farmers, in Buchan, first edition, list of subscribers, woodcut ornaments, stab-holes to inner margin, contemporary ink inscription "Wa: Ferguson 1st March 1735" to front free endpaper, bookplate of Lord Prestongrange, contemporary calf-backed marbled boards, a little worn, spine slightly defective at head, [Fussell II p.17], 8vo, Edinburgh, by W. Cheyne, 1735.⁂ Scarce; no auction record.

Dictionary.- Aquino (Carlo d') Nomenclator Agriculturæ Authore, half-title, title with engraved vignette, woodcut historiated initials, some marginal staining, occasional spotting, contemporary marbled rappers, spine rather worn, 4to, Rome, Antonio de Rubeis, 1736.⁂ Rare first edition of this dictionary of agricultural terminology in classical Latin literature.

Swift (Jonathan).- MacAulay (Alexander) Some Thoughts on the Tillage of Ireland. Humbly Dedicated to the Parliament. To which is Prefixed, a Letter to the Printer, from the Reverend Doctor Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's, recommending the following Treatise., first Dublin edition, half-title, library cloth, [Fussell p.16; Teerink 769], 8vo, Dublin, George Faulkner, 1738.⁂ A rare piece of Swiftiana, we can trace no copy at auction in the last 70 years.

Blackwell (Alexander) A New Method of Improving Cold, Wet, and Barren Lands: Particularly Clayey-Grounds, first edition, initial advertisement leaf, 8 folding engraved plates, contemporary mottled calf, rubbed, joints cracked, Printed for J. Walthoe, 1741 § Anderson (James) A Practical Treatise on Peat Moss, library cloth, Edinburgh, 1794 § Greg (Thomas) A System for Managing Heavy and Wet Lands without Summer Fallows, third edition, 2 folding engraved plates, slight offsetting, 16pp. with drop-head title Premiums offered by the Highland Society of Scotland for Experiments with Salt bound in at end, library cloth, 1813 § Gyllenborg (Count G. A.) A Natural and Chemical Treatise on Agriculture...with practical Remarks and Additions by W. Pilkington, list of subscribers, library cloth, Plymouth-Dock, 1818 § Grisenthwaite (W.) A New Theory of Agriculture, second edition, 4pp. advertisements at beginning, original boards, joints split, 1830 § Steele (Andrew) The Natural and Agricultural History of Peat-Moss or Turf-Bog, later cloth, upper hinge broken, Edinburgh &c., 1826; and 17 others, mostly soils, chemical agriculture and moss-earth, including some by William Aiton, 4to and 8vo (23)

[James (Robert)] The Rational Farmer, and Practical Husbandman by the Author of the new Medicinal Dictionary, to which is added, the British Herbal, 2 parts in 1 vol., first edition, engraved frontispiece, trimmed to margin and laid down, first part double column, second part with woodcut botanical illustrations, occasional browning, Z2 repaired with some minor loss to text, library cloth, [not in Fussell], 4to, Printed and sold by the booksellers of London and Westminster, 1743.⁂ Rare; ESTC lists only 4 copies and we can only trace the Cetus copy at auction.

Cato (Marcus Porcius), Varro, Columella & Palladius. Scriptores rei rusticae, 4 parts in 1, editio princeps, collation: [*14] a-b10 c8 d-f10 g8 h6 i-k10 l-z8 A-C8 D12 E-F8 G-K10], 282 leaves (of 302 leaves, lacking the four blank leaves a1, h6, i1, D8, the quire *14, with Enarrationes vocum priscarum in libris De rustica and letter addressed to Petrus Priolus both by Georgius Merula, and leaves D6-D7 Merula's letter addressed to Dominicus Georgius), this copy with Cato's De re rustica bound at end, text in single column, 40 lines, type: 115R, 115Gk, blank spaces for capitals with guide letters, a few initials supplied in red and grey, several leaves in middle with signs of damp removed by washing, with some light smudging, but generally clean and free of foxing and soiling, red straight-grain morocco by Roger Paine, covers within two frames of gilt fillets, smooth spine decorated by gilt fillets, title and imprint lettered in gilt, marbled pastedowns and flyleaves, vellum flyleaves, inner gilt dentelles, pale grey silk bookmark, gilt edges, recto of front vellum flyleaf with some notes in Michael Wodhull's hand referring to the presence of this edition in other celebrated 18th-century private libraries such as those owned by Louis Gaignat (lot 1526) and Louis César de La Baume Le Blanc, duc La Vallière (lot 1509), folio (315 x 217 mm.), Venice, Nicolaus Jenson, 1472.⁂ The celebrated editio princeps of "the most important classical first edition that Jenson produced" (Lowry, Jenson, p. 68). This Venetian edition includes the first editions of the four Roman agricultural writers Cato, Varro, Columella, and Palladius. Only the tenth Book of Columella's Re rustica, entirely devoted to gardening, had a separate circulation in the 15th century and was possibly previously printed in Rome in 1471. The texts of the agricultural treatises by Cato, Varro, and Columella were edited by the renowned humanist Giorgio Merula (1430-1494), on the basis of a codex at that time in the St. Marco Library and now lost, in which Varro's Re Rustica breaks off, as here, after chapter 17.4 of the third Book. Franciscus Colucia, apparently active at Jenson's printing house as a proof reader, was given Palladius' Opus agriculturae to edit. This copy once belonged to the well-known collector Michael Wodhull. On the front flyleaf he annotated the acquisition date of the volume "April 28th 1791", and the price paid of 10 guineas. He purchased the volume from the celebrated Bibliotheca Parisiana, which was sold in London by James Edwards at the end of March 1791. In fact, a marked up copy of the sale catalogue shows that the volume, bound in red morocco, was indeed sold for £10.10s, and purchased, on Wodhull's behalf, by the London bookseller Payne. This copy lacks only paratextual or additional sections like Merula's Enarrationes vocum priscarum in libris De rustica, often wanting in recorded copies. The last complete copy was sold at Christie's New York in 1997. Literature: ISTC is00346000; H 14564*; GW M41065; BMC V 173; Bod-inc S-122; IGI 8853; Goff S-346; Lowry Jenson, 26; Klebs 902.1; Flodr Scriptores rei rusticae 1; Stillwell 695; B.IN.G 1797; Simon Bibliotheca Bacchica 1.41. Provenance: Bibliotheca exquisitissima Parisiana. Catalogue of a Collection of Books Formed by a Gentleman in France, London 1791, p. 20, lot l86; purchased by the London bookseller Payne for Michael Wodhull (1740-1816; Wodhull's purchase note on the front flyleaf, dated 28 April 1791); by descent to his his sister-in-law, Mary Ingram; Samuel Amy Severne; J. E. Severne, M.P. (see Catalogue of the Extensive and Valuable Library, Collected at the End of the Last and Beginning of the Present Century by Michael Wodhull, Esq., the Property of J. E. Severne, Esq. M. P., of Thenford House, Banbury, Northamptonshire, London: Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge, 11 January 1886, lot 2270 £7.10s "very fine copy in red morocco, gilt edges, by Roger Payne"). Rothamsted acquisition date not noted.

Bees.- Thorley (John) Melisselogia [graece]. Or, the Female Monarchy, being an enquiry into the Nature, Order, and Government of Bees, first edition, engraved frontispiece, list of subscribers, 4 engraved plates by Thomas Loveday, one folding, with 'Explanation of the Plates' leaf at end, lightly browned, some offsetting, contemporary sprinkled calf, lacking label, for the Author, 1744 § Warder (Joseph) The True Amazons: or, the Monarchy of Bees, fifth edition, lacking first leaf of dedication, title with ink inscription and a little soiled, lightly browned, later half calf, for John Pemberton, 1722 § Mills (John) An Essay on the Management of Bees, first edition, engraved frontispiece and folding plate, lacking final advertisement leaf, later half calf, spine gilt, for J. Johnson and B. Davenport, 1766 § [Bazin (Gilles Augustin)] The Natural History of Bees..., first English edition, 12 folding engraved plates, the last browned at outer edge, contemporary sprinkled calf, gilt, red roan label, for J.& P.Knapton, and P.Vailant, 1744, most rubbed, the first two with spine ends worn, [British Bee Books 97, 74, 116 & 96], 8vo (4) ⁂ "Thorley's secret was the puffball narcotic, which he used when uniting colonies...Of English writers, Thorley was the first to mention having found wax scales in the pockets of worker bees. The...frontispiece was a copy of Cesi's three bees - the first drawing of bees made with the aid of a microscope, 1625". (British Bee Books). Plate V depicts the owner in his study searching for the queen in a group of stupefied bees on his table, with a swarm on the tree in the garden beyond.

Trowell (Samuel) and William Ellis, The Farmer's Instructor; or, the Husbandman and Gardener's Companion, first edition, half-title, engraved frontispiece, contemporary calf with gilt 'Edmondstoun' stamp to covers, light wear, rubbed, [Fussell pp.11-14], for J.Hodges , 1747 § [Horne (T.H.)] The Complete Grazier: or, Gentleman and Farmer's Directory... Written by a Country Gentleman, half-title, some minor worming, ink ownership inscription 'James Verner' to title, contemporary speckled calf, Dublin, by J.Potts, 1767; and 36 others, husbandry guides, almanacs and similar, v.s. (38)

Maclaurin (Colin) An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophical Discoveries, first edition, half-title detached, 6 engraved plates, some foxing and browning, contemporary calf, upper cover detached, 4to, Printed for the Author's children, 1748.

Halfpenny (William) Twelve Beautiful Designs for Farm-Houses, with their proper Offices and Estimates..., first edition, 12 engraved plates, light offsetting to plates, crayon mark to title, old ink library stamp to front free endpaper, later cloth-backed boards with old glazed purple wrappers mounted on boards, a little rubbed and faded, [Harris 318], 4to, for R.Sayer...sold by J. Brindley [& others], 1750.⁂ Scarce first edition; ESTC lists 6 UK copies, one copy in the Netherlands and 5 in America, no copy at auction in the last 50 years.

Vanière (Jacques) Della Possessione di Campagna quattro libri, first Italian edition, engraved frontispiece, title vignette and head-pieces, text in Latin and Italian, contemporary limp boards, uncut, a little soiled, Venice, Pietro Bassaglia, 1750 Pontano (Giangiovano) Gli Orti delle Esperidi, half-title, engraved title-vignette, text in Latin and Italian, leaf of manuscript notes bound in at beginning, library cloth, uncut, Venice, Gianbatista Grandi, 1761 § Trinci (Cosimo) L'Agricoltore Sperimentato, lacking initial leaf (?half-title), a little browned, some water-staining, contemporary vellum, rubbed and stained, Lucca, S. & G. Marescandoli, 1726, 8vo (3)

Bibliography.- Kreysig (George Christoph) Bibliotheca scriptorum venaticorum, first edition, title with woodcut vignette, browned, slight worming to head of title and following couple of leaves, contemporary vellum, soiled, Altenburg, Paul Emanuel Richter, 1750 § Lastri (Marco) Bibliotheca Georgica ossia Catalogo Ragionato degli Scrittori di Agricoltura, Veterinaria, Agrimensura, Meteorologia, Economia Pubblica, Caccia, Pesca ec. Spettanti all'Italia, signed presentation copy from the author to André Naville inscribed on front pastedown, attractive contemporary pastepaper boards, spine a little rubbed and faded, Florence, Moücke, 1787 § Re (Filippo) Saggio di Bibliografia Georgica, errata leaf at end, title slightly frayed at fore-edge (repaired), library cloth, uncut, Venice, 1802, the last two not from the Berio/Ward libraries, 4to & 8vo (3)⁂ The first is the first bibliography of hunting, including falconry and angling.

Mariti (Giovanni) Della Robbia; sua Coltivazione e suoi Usi, first edition, half title, engraved title with coat of arms and decorative border, engraved initial, 5 engraved plates by Matteo Carboni, 2 folding, contemporary vellum, slightly soiled, Florence, Gaetano Cambiagi, 1776 § Ratti (Giambattista) Trattato della Seminazione de' Campi, e della Coltivazione de' Prati, woodcut device on title, head- & tail-pieces and initials, 7 folding engraved plates, 1764; Nuova Giunta al Trattato della Seminazione de' Campi, e della Coltivazione de' Prati, folding engraved plate, 1766, together 2 works in 1 vol., lightly browned, contemporary vellum, rubbed and soiled, spine worn at head, Casale, Gio.Antonio Meardi; and another, 8vo (3)⁂ The first concerns the genus Rubia plants, more commonly known as Madder, which have been used since ancient times to produce fabric dyes. They are mentioned by Pliny the Elder in his De re natura.

Duhamel du Monceau (Henri Louis) Tratado del Cultivo de las Tierras, segun los Principios de Mons. Tull, Ingles, first Spanish edition, 10 folding engraved plates, later calf, corners rubbed, [Palau 76614], 4to, Madrid, por Joseph de Orga, 1751.⁂ Included as an appendix is the Spanish version of an excerpt from the 12th century Kitab al-Filaha, the most important medieval Arabic work on agriculture, by the Andalusian Abu Zakariya ibn al-Awwam. Bound between pp. 268 and 269 of this appendix is a 7pp. Lista de las Voces Arabigas correspondientes a las palabras que van de cursiva, y numeradas en la traduccion de los dos Capitulos, with some Arabic type.

Gardens.- Hill (John) A General Natural History: or, New Accurate Descriptions of the Animals, Vegetables, and Minerals of the Different Parts of the World, vol.2 only (of 3: A History of Plants), first edition,16 hand-coloured engraved plates, a little browned, tear to R1, Pp2 defective at upper inner corner not affecting text, contemporary diced russia, rubbed, rebacked and repaired in morocco, [Henrey 809], folio, for Thomas Osborne, 1751 § Miller (Philip) The Gardeners Dictionary, 2 vol., second edition, engraved plates, some folding, contemporary panelled calf, spines gilt with roan labels, joints split, spine ends worn, for the Author, 1733 § Hanbury (Rev. William) A Complete Body of Planting and Gardening, 2 vol., engraved frontispieces and plates, vol.1 lacking pp.145-156, original vellum-backed boards, uncut, stained, for the Author, 1770-71, occasional soiling or staining, rubbed; and 4 others on gardening, folio & 4to; sold not subject to return (9)⁂ The other two volumes of the first describe fossils and animals respectively.

Chinese Gardens.- Attiret (Jean Denis) A Particular Account of the Emperor of China's Gardens near Pekin, translated by Sir Harry Beaumont [Joseph Spence], first English edition, half-title, stab-holes to inner margins, small embossed stamp of Francis Henry Cripps Day at foot of title and with his signature to front free endpaper, old cloth, faded, [Henrey 427; Hunt 543], 8vo, for R.Dodsley...sold by M.Cooper, 1752.⁂ Description of the Emperor Ch'ien Lung's summer palace outside Beijing, by a Jesuit missionary. The Chinese style became popular in England in the late 18th century for garden pavilions and rustic architecture, mainly as a result of such works.

Hops.- Instructions for Planting and Managing Hops, and for Raising Hop-Poles. Drawn Up and Published by Order of the Dublin Society, first edition, woodcut illustrations, light browning to title, library cloth, [Fussell p.21; Henrey 665; Hunt 492; cf. Perkins 527 (London edition) and Kress 4101 (London edition)], 8vo, Dublin, Printed by A. Rhames, Printer to the Dublin Society, 1733.⁂ One of the earliest publications of the Dublin Society, founded in 1731 to 'to promote and develop agriculture, arts, industry, and science in Ireland'.

Duhamel du Monceau (Henri Louis) Traite de la Culture des Terres, suivant les Principes de M. Tull, Anglois, 6 vol., 40 engraved plates and 1 table, all folding, contemporary calf, spines gilt but a little worn, Paris, 1753-61; Traite de la Conservation des Grains, et en particulier du Froment, first edition, 12 folding engraved plates, contemporary sprinkled calf, worn, upper cover detached, Paris, 1753; and 2 others by Duhamel,12mo (9)

Bonnet (Charles) Recherches sur l'Usage des Feuilles dans les Plantes, first edition, title in red and black with engraved vignette, 31 folding engraved plates, contemporary mottled calf, worn, Gottingen & Leiden, Chez Elie Luzac, 1754 § Senebier (Jean) Physiologie Vegetale, 5 vol., first edition, half-titles, uncut, modern green cloth, Geneva, 1800; Memoires Physico-Chymiques, 3 vol., first edition, 2 folding engraved plates, contemporary sprinkled sheep, Geneva, 1782; and another by Senebier, 8vo (10)

[Smollett (Tobias, translator)] Select Essays on Commerce, Agriculture, Mines, Fisheries, and other useful subjects, first edition, lacking , title a little foxed, occasional light browning, contemporary calf, gilt, upper joint split but holding firm, [Goldsmiths' 8885; Higgs 740; Kress 5401], 8vo, Printed for D. Wilson, and T. Durham, at Plato's Head, in the Strand, 1754. ⁂ 'The first notice in English of the Physiocratic doctrine' (Higgs). An important work that introduced English readers to the Journal Oeconomique; the key work of the Physiocratic movement. The group of Physiocrat economists believed that the wealth of nations was solely derived from the value of agriculture or land-development. Accordingly over half of the essays selected by Smollett for translation from the original French publication concern agriculture in various forms.

Grain.- Intieri (Bartolomeo) Della Perfetta Conservazione del Grano..., first edition, engraved title-vignette, head-piece and 7 folding engraved plates by Cepparuli after M.B.Galiano, woodcut head- & tail-pieces and initials, light soiling or browning to text, contemporary vellum, a little rubbed and stained, upper corners worn, Naples, Giuseppe Raimondi, 1754; and a 1770 French edition of the same, folio & 8vo (2)⁂ Scarce description of the stove invented by Intieri for the drying and conservation of grain.

Trees.- Duhamel du Monceau (Henri Louis) Traité des Arbres et Arbustes qui se cultivent en France en Pleine Terre, 2 vol., first edition, half-titles, 4 folding engraved plates, 250 woodcut botanical plates, 190 engraved head-pieces mostly of floral analyses, occasional light browning but generally very bright and clean, handsome contemporary mottled calf, spines gilt with red morocco labels, a little rubbed, spine of vol.2 chipped at head, [Great Flower Books p.91; Hunt 552; Nissen BBI 547], 4to, Paris, H.L.Guerin & L.F.Delatour, 1755.⁂ A handsome copy of Duhamel du Monceau's earliest work on trees, using the fine woodblocks from the "large Mattioli" of 1562.

Hale (Thomas) A Compleat Body of Husbandry, 2 vol. (including Continuation), first edition, vol.1 with engraved frontispiece and 12 plates, vol.2 with one plate, vol.1 with leaf on the Improvement of Fences with engraved vignette bound in between pp.492 and 493, vol.1 contemporary calf, upper joint split, corners worn, vol.2 contemporary calf-backed boards, worn, [Fussell I, pp.37-38; Goldsmiths' 9099; Kress 5528; Hunt 556; Perkins 737], folio, Printed for T. Osborne &c., 1756-59.

[Hale (Thomas)] Eden: or, A Compleat Body of Gardening..., compiled by Sir John Hill, first edition, 60 fine engraved plates, lacking frontispiece, ?lacking initial and final blanks, final plate and last f. of text torn and creased, bookplate, contemporary calf, covers detached, rubbed and worn, [Nissen 880], folio, for T.Osborne & others, 1757.

Iceland.- Horrebow (Niels) The Natural History of Iceland, first edition in English, folding engraved map, light offsetting, occasional light spotting, ink ownership inscription to front free endpaper, contemporary speckled calf, spine gilt in compartments a little rubbed, folio, for A.Linde et al., 1758.⁂ Provenance: Car. Oxley (ink ownership inscription).

Madder.- Miller (Philip) The Method of Cultivating Madder, as it is now practised by the Dutch in Zealand: with their manner of Drying, Stamping, and Manufacturing it for Use. Embellished with Draughts of their Buildings and Kilns erected for that Purpose. To which is added, The Method of Cultivating Madder in England, first edition, large engraved hand-coloured folding plate of the Madder plant and 6 plain plates (5 folding), title and final f. browned, library cloth, [Henrey 1146], 4to, for the Author, 1758.⁂ Rare at auction, we can trace no copy in the last 50 years. The introduction of the red dye plant madder to England had long occupied Miller as large quantities had to be imported from Holland to meet demand.

Bees.- Simon (Jean B.) Le Gouvernement Admirable; ou la République des Abeilles, third edition, engraved frontispiece and 5 folding plates, 4pp. approbation/privilege at end, occasional spotting, contemporary mottled calf, spine gilt in compartments with red morocco label, slightly rubbed, spine a little wormed and worn at head, Paris, Nyon, 1758 § Wildman (Daniel) Guide Complet pour le Gouvernement des Abeilles, first edition in French, printed on pale blue paper, folding engraved plate, light foxing and marginal soiling, modern cloth, uncut, Amsterdam, Bulam, 1774, [Walker Catalogue p.100, 102]; and 5 others on bees, French, 8vo et infra (7)

Rice.- Spolverini (Gian Battista) La Coltivazione del Riso, first edition, engraved allegorical frontispiece, title-vignette, portrait of Elisabeth Farnese and charming head- & tail-pieces and initials by D.Cunego after Fran. Lorenzi, with final licence leaf (torn and repaired), another small marginal tear ro Y2 (repaired), very occasional marginal soiling, contemporary half vellum, roan labels (one chipped), rubbed, Verona, Agostino Carattoni, 1758 § [Delfico (Melchiorre)] Memoria sulla Coltivazione del Riso nella provincia di Teramo, first edition, title with decorative border, title soiled, lightly water-stained, library cloth, Naples, G.-M. Porcelli, 1783, 4to & 8vo (2)

Duhamel du Monceau (Henri Louis) A Practical Treatise of Husbandry, [translated and edited by John Mills], first edition in English, title in red and black, 6 engraved plates, folding table, light foxng and offsetting to plates, contemporary calf, sympathetically rebacked, [Fussell pp.48-49; Hunt 564], 4to, for J.Whiston and B.White, 1759.⁂ Includes vines, corn, wheat and manures. The author was a supporter of Tull's methods.

Forestry.- [Hamilton (Thomas, Earl of Haddington)] A Treatise on the Manner of Raising Forest Trees, &c., first edition, engraved frontispiece, light soiling, modern bookplate of W.Frank Perkins, contemporary calf, rebacked, for G. Hamilton and J. Balfour, 1761 § [Anderson (James)], "Agricola". Miscellaneous Observations on Planting and Training Timber-Trees; particularly calculated for the Climate of Scotland, first edition, half-title, contemporary tree calf, spine gilt, 1777 § Monteath (Robert) The Forester's Guide and Profitable Planter, second edition, half-title, 15 engraved plates, modern cloth, 1824; Miscellaneous Reports on Woods and Plantations, 8pp. advertisements at beginning, original boards, uncut, spine worn, Dundee, 1827 § Collection (A) of Acts for Encouraging the Planting of Timber Trees, title with woodcut royal arms and contemporary ink signatures of Robt. Ridge (soiled and lacking lower outer corner), browned, cropped with loss of a few head-lines, contemporary calf, gilt, spine worn and torn at head, Dublin, 1814, some foxing, rubbed, all but the last two Edinburgh; and 9 others on forestry, 8vo et infra (14)

Trades.- Meil (Johann Wilhelm) Spectaculum Naturae & Artium, 2 vol. in 1, first edition, titles in German and French with decorative wood-engraved border, text in German, Latin, French and Italian in four columns, 50 engraved plates by Meil, wood-engraved tail-pieces, contemporary boards, chipped and rubbed, 4to, Berlin, G.L.Winter, 1761.⁂ Charming rare polyglot pictorial encyclopaedia of trades, crafts and technology, including beekeeping, printing, engraving, zoo keeping, scientific instruments, military and naval equipment, building and construction.

Mordant (John) The Complete Steward: or, The Duty of a Steward to his Lord... Also a New System of Husbandry, wherein are Laid Down General Rules and Directions for the Management and Improvement of Farms, 2 vol., first edition, half-title to vol.2, folding table. woodcut illustrations, contemporary speckled calf, gilt, spines gilt in compartments with morocco labels, [Fussell p.51; Goldsmiths' 9662; Kress 5956; Perkins 1225], a good set, Printed for W.Sandby, in Fleet-Street, 1761 § Stone (Thomas) An Essay on Agriculture, with a view to inform Gentlemen of Landed Property, whether their Estates are managed to the Greatest Advantage, first edition, occasional light browning, contemporary calf, upper cover detached, [Goldsmiths' 12846; Kress B969], Lynn, W.Whittingham, 1785; and 6 others, stewardship and land management, 8vo & 4to (9)

Duhamel du Monceau (Henri Louis) and Mathieu Tillet. Histoire d'un Insecte qui devore les Grains de l'Angoumois, first edition, 3 folding engraved plates, contemporary French mottled calf, gilt, g.e., joints and corners a little worn, spine ends chipped, Paris, 1762 § Ducarne de Blangy (J.J.) Methode pour recueillir les Grains dans les annees pluvieuses, & les empecher de germer, folding engraved plate, contemporary French mottled calf, spine gilt, chipped at head, Paris, 1771 § Essai sur la Police Generale des Grains, contemporary calf, worn, Berlin, 1755 § Sage (B.E.) Analyse des Bles, 7 folding engraved plates, one torn, contemporary mottled sheep, spine gilt, some abrasions, Paris, 1776 § Memoire pour Parvenir a la Conservation des Grains, 16pp., modern cloth, Grenoble, 1753, 4to and 8vo (5)

Mills (John) A New and Complete System of Practical Husbandry, 5 vol., first edition, titles in red and black, engraved frontispiece and 18 folding plates (only of 19), contemporary calf, gilt, [Fussell p.133 'valuable collection of knowledge'; Kress 6041; Perkins 1200], 8vo, for R. Baldwin [c.], 1762-1765; A Treatise on Cattle, first edition, half-title, contemporary calf, gilt, [Fussell p.49], for J. Johnson, 1776 § Tusser (Thomas) Tusser Redivivus: Being Part of Mr. Thomas Tusser's Five Hundred Points of Husbandry, 12 parts in 11 in 1 vol. (all published), with general title, woodcut decorations, contemporary calf, J.Morphew, 1710; and 14 others, agriculture (21)

Political Economy.- Mirabeau (Victor Riqueti de) and Francois Quesnay. Philosophie Rurale, ou Economie Generale et Politique de l'Agriculture, first edition, half-title, 3 engraved tables, woodcut device on title, woodcut head-piece, occasional minor spotting, contemporary French mottled calf, spine gilt in compartments with red morocco label, [Kress 6120; Tchemerzine IV, 286], 4to, Amsterdam [i.e. Paris], chez les Libraires Associes, 1763.⁂ An excellent copy of this highly important and extremely rare collaborative work on the Physiocratic doctrine. The Journal des Economistes II, p.66 calls this work "le meilleur de Mirabeau." The last copy to appear at auction was in 1978.