The Clergy-Man's recreation: shewing the pleasure and profit of the art of gardening. By John Lawrence, A.M. Rector of Yelvertoft in Northamptonshire, and sometime Fellow of Clare-Hall in Cambridge; [bound with] The gentleman's recreation: or The second part of the art of gardening improved. Containing several new experiments and curious observations relating to fruit-trees: particularly, a new method of building walls with horizontal shelters. Illustrated with copper plates. By John Laurence, M.A. rector of Yelvertost in Northamptonshire. To which is added by way of appendix, a new and familiar way to find a most exact meridian line by the pole-star; whereby gentlemen may know the true bearings of their houses and garden walls, and regulate their clocks and watches, &c. By Edward Laurence, brother to the author of this book. [and] The fruit-garden kalendar: Or, A summary of the art of managing the fruit-garden. Teaching in order of time what is to be done therein every month in the year. Containing several n

London: printed for Bernard Lintott, between the Temple-Gates in Fleet-Street [through 1718], 1717. Full Calf. Near Fine+. Three volumes in one: Fifth Edition of the first, Second of the second, First of the third. 8vo: [2, the frontispiece and title page may be cancels],vi (dedication to Henry, Duke of Kent, from The fruit-garden kalendar transferred here, as usual, to The clergy-man's recreation [ESTC Citation No. T30847]),[8],84, with a copper-engraved frontispiece by Simon Gribelin and a letterpress illustration; [18],115,[1], with a frontispiece, four folding plates (including the plate showing a method of finding the meridian line, often missing) and a letterpress illustration (in this edition [ESTC Citation No. T142272], the last '7' of the date on the title page falls below the first 't' of 'Lintott', and on p.5 the "B" of the signature is below the "a" of "acquainted" in the final line); [4],v,[1],146 (wanting final 3pp of the appendix, but with 7 extra pages of Lintot's catalog), [10]pp, with a folding copper-engraved frontispiece. Period Cambridge-style calf paneled in blind, very skillfully rebacked, spine in six compartments divided by raised bands ruled in gilt, red leather lettering piece gilt. An excellent copy, the binding tight and secure, text generally clean and free of foxing, plates good impression, barring the first frontispiece, which is a bit weak. Henrey, 937, 939, and 943. Janson, pp. 149-155. Cagle 815, 816, and 817. The Clergy-Man's recreation, originally published in 1714, was Laurence's first published treatise on gardening, and was devoted almost exclusively to culture and training of fruit trees, and is of special historical interest, according to Henrey, for its early mention of transmission of a viruses by grafting. The gentleman's recreation, giving " some additional improvements and observation" relating to fruit trees followed in 1716, and The fruit-garden kalendar in 1718. The very practical nature of Laurence's treatises made them extremely popular, including with the colonists in America. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition, carefully preserved in archival, removable mylar sleeves. All orders are packaged with care and posted promptly. Satisfaction guaranteed. (Fine Editions Ltd is a member of the Independent Online Booksellers Association, and we subscribe to its codes of ethics.).