OLIVIER DE SERRES (1539-1619) LE THÉÂTRE D’AGRICULTURE ET MESNAGE DES CHAMPS [THE THEATRE OF AGRICULTURE AND FARM MANAGEMENT] 2 VOLUMES. 1804-1805. IN FRENCH.

Le Théâtre d’Agriculture et Mesnage des Champs, by Olivier de SERRES, Lord of Pradel; In which is represented everything that is required and necessary to properly train, govern, enrich and embellish THE RUSTIC HOUSE. New Edition in accordance with the text, augmented with Notes and a vocabulary; published by the Société d’Agriculture du Département de la Seine. Paris, From the Printing House and Bookshop of Madame Huzard, Printer of the Société d’Agriculture du Département de la Seine, Year XII [1804]-Year XIV [1805] 2 volumes in-4, bound, smooth decorated spines, gilt titles on 2 red title pieces. Volume 1: 1f. blank, half-title, frontispiece, title, list of subscribers (xviij), eulogy (xix-xlvj), epistle (xlvij-lix), documents relating to this new edition (lx-lxxxij), historical essay (lxxxiij-clxv), poems (clxvj-clxxvij), names of authors who provided notes (clxxviij), half-title, To the King (clxxxj-clxxxij), preface (clxxxiij-cxcij), 672 pages (including table of contents p.667 to 671 and errors to be corrected p.672), 1 blank page. Pagination error p.375-376 repeated numbers and pagination jump p.382, which goes to 385, without any missing pages. Texts printed in two columns per page, illustrations in the text, one plate outside the text. Complete work by: Portrait of the author engraved by B. Roger on the frontispiece, one engraved plate depicting a windmill and basket (p. 589) protected by a guard sheet. 27.2 x 21 x 5.5 cm Volume 2: 1f. blank, half-title, frontispiece, title, second list of subscribers (v-viij), supplement to the eulogy (ix-xx), bibliographical note (xxj-xlij), names of authors (xliij-xliv), 948 pages (including vocabulary of ancient words p.845 to 868, table or general index of the most notable subjects p.869 to 949, errors to be corrected p.943, table of contents contained in the second volume p.944 to 948, 1f. blank. Texts printed in two columns per page. Illustrations in the text, 16 plates outside the text. Complete work by: Obelisk erected in memory of the author in Villeneuve-de-Berg (his hometown), on the frontispiece, 16 engraved plates depicting flowerbeds and garden plans, including 12 plates (1-2-3-12-11-10-9-8-7-6-5-4) between pp. 300 and 301 and 4 plates (13-16-15-14) between pp. 304 and 305. Two vignettes engraved by Ponce after Maréchal and Marillier.. 27.2 x 21 x 6.5 cm The first major French treatise on agronomy, originally published in 1600, marked a turning point in agricultural science by combining theory and practice. Nicknamed the father of French agriculture, Olivier de Serres, a French Protestant agronomist, offers us here an excellent compilation of the agricultural knowledge of his time. His work remains an essential milestone in the history of agronomy, combining technical innovation and scientific rigour, it is structured in a clear and didactic manner, facilitating the understanding and application of agricultural techniques. Bibliography: Vicaire (p.789) and Bitting (p.430)