A New System of Agriculture. Being a complete body of husbandry and gardening in all the parts of them. Viz. Husbandry in the field, and its several improvements. Of forest and timber trees, great and small; with ever

First edition of the author's magnum opus. The clergyman John Laurence (1668-1732) wrote four books on gardening and husbandry, all based on his transformation of the neglected rectory garden at Yelvertoft. This is his longest and most substantial treatise, providing an extensive system of improving land both for farmers and for gardeners. Laurence argues in favour of enclosure, contending that the practice would both improve tillage and provide employment for the poor. A further edition was printed in Dublin in 1727 by J. Hyde and E. Dobson. ESTC T146573; Goldsmiths' 6436; Hanson 3561; Henrey, pp. 415-24. Folio (350 x 223 mm), pp. [xxiv], 456 [= 452, four page numbers omitted]. Engraved frontispiece, 2 full-page plates and 3 smaller engravings within text, head- and tailpieces, and initials. Contemporary sprinkled panelled calf, raised bands, board edges tooled in gilt, edges sprinkled red. Contemporary ownership signature of one Sam Browne on title page. Faint stripping and scratching to covers, white mark to front cover, paper repair to upper outer corner of title page, generally crisp and clean, sporadic marginal soiling: a very good copy.