Description

Husbandry.- Weston (Sir Richard, canal builder and agriculturist, 1591-1652) Sr Rich: Westons improvement of Husbandrie... coppied out by mee Archdale Palmer, manuscript, title and 35pp., inscribed on first f. "Arch: Palmer his Booke...", 19th century ink inscription on verso of first f., first f. outer margin repaired, slightly browned, modern cloth boards, small 4to, 9th - 21st February 1649.

⁂ Published as A Discours of Husbandrie used in Brabant and Flanders, 1650 (see lot 274).

"Sir Richard's account of Flemish husbandry was written about 1645, and addressed to his sons from abroad. This was circulated in manuscript, and there is no evidence that it was printed before 1650, when an imperfect copy was published by Samuel Hartlib, with a dedication to the council of state. Hartlib did not at this time know who the author was. The account is the first English description of the use of a farming rotation including turnips and clover to obtain maximum output from heathlands formerly considered of little agricultural value. Although it is not known to what extent Sir Richard emulated on his own estates what he saw in Flanders, he described a farming system that was to become the cornerstone of the English 'agricultural revolution' a century later." - Oxford DNB.

Probably Archdale Palmer, Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1641.

Description

Husbandry.- Weston (Sir Richard, canal builder and agriculturist, 1591-1652) Sr Rich: Westons improvement of Husbandrie... coppied out by mee Archdale Palmer, manuscript, title and 35pp., inscribed on first f. "Arch: Palmer his Booke...", 19th century ink inscription on verso of first f., first f. outer margin repaired, slightly browned, modern cloth boards, small 4to, 9th - 21st February 1649.

⁂ Published as A Discours of Husbandrie used in Brabant and Flanders, 1650 (see lot 274).

"Sir Richard's account of Flemish husbandry was written about 1645, and addressed to his sons from abroad. This was circulated in manuscript, and there is no evidence that it was printed before 1650, when an imperfect copy was published by Samuel Hartlib, with a dedication to the council of state. Hartlib did not at this time know who the author was. The account is the first English description of the use of a farming rotation including turnips and clover to obtain maximum output from heathlands formerly considered of little agricultural value. Although it is not known to what extent Sir Richard emulated on his own estates what he saw in Flanders, he described a farming system that was to become the cornerstone of the English 'agricultural revolution' a century later." - Oxford DNB.

Probably Archdale Palmer, Sheriff of Leicestershire in 1641.

Terms and Conditions

All bidders accept full liability for bids submitted.

Please note that by submitting a bid you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions.

Newsletter Signup

Keyword Alerts

NewsletterNewsletter