Instruction pour les jardins fruitiers et potagers: plus un traité des Orangers et des reflexions sur l'Agriculture; avec une instruction pour la Culture del fleurs

A Paris: Chez Charles Osmont, ruë Saint Jacques, à l'Ecu de France, 1716. Early Reprint. Full Calf. Fine. New, revised and enlarged edition (Augmentée de la Culture des Melons, de la maniere de taillerles Arbres Friutiers, d'in Dictionnaire des termes dont fe fervent les Jardiniers en parlant des Arbres, & d'une Table des Matieres), of the most famous French manual on gardening. Complete in two quarto volumes. [8],16,23[i. e., 32],[8],666[84 misnumbered 80],[4], with 12 copper-engraved plates (2 folding), mostly of pruning patterns and tools; [12],562,[30]pp, with one plate and woodcuts in text of both volumes. Each section (six main books on fruit and kitchen gardens, treatise on oranges and reflection on agriculture) begins with a large engraved vignette and historiated initial. Contemporary speckled calf, spine richly gilt in six compartments between raised bands, brown morocco lettering piece gilt, edges speckled red, plain period end papers, title page with woodcut vignette. A superb set, occasional toning, very sporadically scattered marginal foxing, else a beautifully printed, clean, crisp wide-margined copy in handsome period binding. Brunet III 838. Hunt 388. Oak Spring Pomona 1. Pritzel 5075. Originally published (posthumously) in Paris, in 1690. Probably the most influential book in the history of pomology, by the leading French gardener of the seventeenth century. For more than 20 years, beginning in 1665, La Quintinie worked as gardener to Louis XIV, rising steadily with ever-expanding titles. The potager at Versailles, constructed from 1677 to 1683, is the most famous of the fruit and kitchen gardens he oversaw in all the royal houses to meet the needs of the court: asparagus in December and strawberries in April, as well as the King's favorite figs. This book, published by La Quintinie's son Michel, introduced his methods to a wide audience, with detailed instructions for planting, pruning and espaliering fruit trees, and cultivating vegetables. Later editions, such as our copy, added to the directions for pruning and thinning out buds sections on melons and flowers, as well as advice on dealing with orange tress and La Quintinie's reflection on agriculture. 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.