The Very Rare First Book Printed in Kenilworth

(AGRICULTURE). RUSSELL, JOSEPH.

A TREATISE ON PRACTICAL AND CHEMICAL AGRICULTURE.

(Kenilworth: Printed for the author by E. Foden of Warwick, 1831). 229 x 140 mm (9 x 5 1/2"). xvi, 396 pp. FIRST EDITION.

Attractive recent period-style half calf over marbled boards, raised bands, maroon morocco spine label, marbled edges. With small woodcut tailpieces. Perkins 1515 (citing second edition); Rothamsted, p. 131. A one square-inch paper repair in middle of last leaf (probably to remove a library stamp) affecting four lines in the appendix (on the recto) and errata (on the verso), two short tears to title page repaired with silk (one repair touching but not obscuring text), following seven leaves with minor repaired tears in top margin, otherwise clean and fresh internally and in an unworn sympathetic binding.

The title page of this extremely rare provincial imprint promises us "a treatise on practical and chemical agriculture, compiled, principally, from the scientific works of Sir Humphry Davy, and compared with the experience derived from a long and extensive practice. Containing, also, a dissertation on the cultivation of the soil, upon an improved and more profitable system, wherein its superiority over the method now in general use is satisfactorily demonstrated by a number of comparative calculations and tables, which shew the outlay and profits of horse and manual labor, upon both systems. And a chapter, exhibiting upon plain and easy principles, the way to ascertain the value of land, tithes, and parish assessments. To which is added, an essay upon red clover, explaining the cause of the failure of that crop, and what means should be adopted to restore the land to its former healthful state, so that it will again produce that invaluable plant. Likewise, many useful observations on selecting, breeding, rearing and feeding of stock, &c. &c. and various other interesting matters connected with British agriculture." A Warwickshire farmer, Joseph Russell (1760-1846) took a scientific interest in agriculture and was honored by the Society of Arts and Sciences in London for his contributions to agricultural science. He was constantly looking for ways to innovate, both by improving on existing methods and by inventing new machinery and techniques: he is credited with introducing Talevera wheat into England and Leicester sheep into Warwickshire, and his inventions included a machine for gathering clover heads and an improved sub-soil plough. Our book is based on his practical experiences and was considered revolutionary at the time of publication. It is rare both as a text and as an imprint: according to the British Library Catalogue, it was the earliest work printed in Kenilworth, a Warwickshire market town famous for the ruins of Kenilworth Castle, celebrated in Sir Walter Scott's novel "Kenilworth" and founded ca. 1120 by Geoffrey de Clinton. ABPC shows no copy of our book at auction since at least 1975 and lists only one copy of any version of Russell's "Treatise" (a privately printed 1840 second edition sold in 1985). (CJM0811)