A TREATISE of FRUIT-TREES, Shewing the manner of Grafting, Planting, Pruning, and Ordering of them in all respects, according to new and easy Rules of Experience. Divers Divine & Humane Arguments, the dignity of fruit-trees & art of planting. by AUSTEN, Ralph.: - 1657

Oxford, printed by Henry Hall printer to the University, for Thomas Robinson, M.DC.LVII. [1657].. Discovering some Errors in the Theory, and Practise of this Art to be avoyded. With the Alimentall, and Physicall use of Fruits. Also concerning planting fruit-trees in the fields, and hedges, without hindrance of any present profits. Of Cider, and Perry; Liquors found by Experience, most conducing to HEALTH and LONG-LIFE. Of VINE-YARDS in ENGLAND. Herein likewise is laid downe some encouragements, and directions for planting of WOOD; for Building, Fuell and other uses. By all which the value of land may be much improved in a short time, with small cost and little labour to the great advantage of the owners and of the Common-Wealth. To which may be annexed the second part, viz. The spirituall use of an orchard, or garden: in divers similitudes between naturall and spirituall fruit-trees, according to Scripture, and experience. SECOND EDITION 1657, FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1653. FIRST PART ONLY. LACKING the additional engraved title page, a good facsimile inserted on old paper. 8vo, approximately 185 x 140 mm, 7 x 5½ inches, pages: [26], 1-140, A few head- and tailpieces and decorated initials, calf reback keeping the original leather covers, gilt lettered morocco label, author's name, date and gilt rules between raised bands on spine, new brown endpapers. Pale brown stain to top and lower corners of title page, slight chipping to edges of title page and last page, 2 small spots to title page, shallow creasing to text, small closed tear running into text neatly repaired, no loss to text, pale staining to last page, small paper fault to lower corner of page 49, neatly repaired, not affecting text, otherwise a very good copy. ESTC R207480, stating: "Sometimes bound with the 1657 edition of "The spirituall use of an orchard, or garden of fruit-trees" ; Blanche Henrey, British Botanical and Horticultural Literature before 1800, Volume1, page 229, No. 6, and page 170 " The spiritual use of an orchard or garden of fruit trees etc., which being all divinity and nothing therein of the practice part of gardening, many refused to buy it"; Rachel Hunt, Catalogue of Botanical Books, Volume 1, pages 290-291, No. 268; Falconer Madan, Oxford Books, Volume 3, page 62, No. 2327; Sandra Raphael, An Oak Spring Pomona, No. 6, pages 19-20; H. Frederic Janson, Pomona's Harvest, page 124-129: " A Treatise of Fruit Trees, is a charming and original work, typical of the Puritan style of the day, with sound advice dispensed and superstitions identified and condemned." MORE IMAGES ATTACHED TO THIS LISTING, ALL ZOOMABLE, FURTHER IMAGES ON REQUEST. POSTAGE AT COST.