Title: L'Agronome. Dictionnaire portatif du cultivateur, 1764
Author: Pons-Augustin Alletz
Publisher: Nyon, Paris
Condition: Fair
An early 18th century edition of Alletz’s Agronomist, or the Cultivator's Portable Dictionary, containing all the knowledge to govern country property, and to assert it usefully, to support its rights, to preserve its health, and to make rural life graceful.
The work is broken down into four sections:
- Grain land, vines, meadows, woods, hunting, fishing, gardens, both in terms of cleanliness and utility; desired flowers, common plants, cattle, horses & other animals.
2. The main concepts that can give business intelligence, to the extent sufficient to defend its property, both in rural and civil matters.
3. The remedies in ordinary illnesses, & other accidents that happen to humans & animals.
4. Various food preparations; & all that can provide healthy and pleasant food. With a considerable number of other useful and curious instructions, to every man who spends his life in the countryside
Of the author, Alletz was a lawyer by trade, with publications specializing in dictionaries and compilations, covering a variety of subjects. From the history of primates and other animals, to an abstract of Greek history and more, his bibliography ranged quite widely.
The Agronomist was a great success, to the point that a "Notice from the booksellers", placed at the beginning of the book warned of the various counterfeits and fake editions already in circulation. Contrary to what the title might suggest, this work does not only deal with agriculture and fieldwork, but also with animal breeding, fishing or hunting, making it a wide and complex text, differing from other similar works of its time. There are tips for raising turkeys, training herding dogs, hunting wolves, creating a chestnut grove, and fishing for river eels.
Two volumes in 12mo, (XXIV)+683, 676 pages
On note of condition, these volumes are in fair shape, with wear and peeling at the edges and spines, the titles having peeled off. The title page to volume one has also detached, being held on with tape. The bindings hold well, with little to no foxing throughout.