THE COMPLEAT VINEYARD, or, An excellent way for the PLANTING of VINES, according to the GERMAN & FRENCH manner, and long practised in ENGLAND.

London, printed by J.C. for Will. Crook, at the Green-dragon without Temple-bar, 1670.. Title continued: Herein is set forth the ways, and all the circumstances necessary for the planting a vineyard; with the election of the soil; the scituation [sic] thereof; the best way for the planting of the young plants; the best time and manner of proyning; the turning and translation of the ground; with other necessary observations. Also, the fashion of wine-presses; the manner of brusing and pressing grapes; and how to advance our English wines. SECOND EDITION 'Enlarged above half by the author',1670 (the first of 1665 had only 27 pages). Small 8vo, approximately 160 x 100 mm, 6¼ x 4 inches, 1 folding plate, pages: [32], 1-92, followed by 3 pages of adverts, last page blank, signatures: A8, a8, B-G8. Bound in full calf, original speckled calf covers, new calf spine, gilt lettered label, gilt rules and date to spine. Slight scuffing to covers, occasional age-browning and small brown spot, otherwise a very good clean copy. The text describes the vinegrower's work month by month January to December. John Evelyn had a copy of this title in his library, a later edition dated 1683. Geoffrey Keynes, John Evelyn, A Study in Bibliography, page 297. See: James Gabler, Wine into Words, page 135, No. G24550; Andre Simon, Bibliotheca Gastronomica, page 85, No. 869; Andre Simon, Bibliotheca Vinaria, page 49. "Hughes served, according to his own account, on board a vessel engaged in a filibustering expedition in the Wesr Indies. He then visited among other places, Barbados, Jamaica and Florida. After his return, about 1652, he took service, apparently as gardener, under the Dowager Viscountess Conway, at Ragley. While in this situation he brought out his first book, The Compleat Vineyard". MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE, FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.