[Beekeeping] Systema agriculturæ; the mystery of husbandry discovered: treating of the several new and most advantagious ways of tilling, planting, sowing, manuring, ordering, improving of all sorts of gardens, orchards, meadows, pastures, corn-lands, woods & coppices. As also of fruits, corn, grain, pulse, new-hays, cattle, fowl, beasts, bees, silk-worms, &c. With an account of the several instruments and engines used in this profession. To which is added Kalendarium rusticum: or, The husbandmans monthly directions. Also the prognosticks of dearth, scarcity, plenty, sickness, heat, cold, frost, snow, winds, rain, hail, thunder, &c. And Dictionarium rusticum: or, The interpretation of rustick terms. The whole work being of great use and advantage to all that delight in that most noble practice. The second edition carefully corrected and amended, with many larg and useful additions throughout the whole work: by the author. Published for the common good: by J. W. gent by WORLIDGE, John (fl. 1660-1698) - 1675

London: printed by J[ames].C[ottrell]. for Thomas Dring, at the Harrow at the corner of Chancery-Lane in Fleetstreet, 1675. Fine. The second edition carefully corrected and amended, with many large and useful additions throughout the whole work." Folio (290 x 187mm): [36],324,[4]pp, with additional engraved title page signed: F H Van Hove Scul, preceded by "An explanation of the frontispiece" in verse, with several woodcuts in text. Both Kalendarium rusticum and Dictionarium rusticum have separate title pages, dated 1675. Beautifully bound to style by Fitterer in full speckled brown calf, spine divided into six compartments by raised bands ruled in gilt, red morocco lettering piece gilt, covers framed in gilt with circular devices at corners, marbled end papers. Provenance: "Elizabeth Moore / 1680" in manuscript to first blank. An excellent copy in fine binding, small wormhole to lower margin (not affecting text) of final pages, occasional spotting. Goldsmiths'-Kress 2107. Westwood & Satchell, pp. 204-05. Bibliotheca Bibliographici 4280. Cagle 1065. Fussell, pp. 68-70. Originally published in 1669; a second part appeared in 1689. Further editions of the first part (both folios) were published in 1681 and 1687. Worlidge was a popular and influential writer on husbandry and rural crafts, his books generally appearing under the name J. W. Gent. This treatise was the "first systematic and comprehensive treatment of arable and livestock husbandry. It displayed Worlidge's familiarity with earlier authors on these subjects, to which he had made worthwhile additions, and it went through five editions before being supplanted by the numerous agricultural reference books of the eighteenth century." (ODNB) Topics touched upon include sowing, manuring, fruits, cattle, fowl, beasts, bees, and silkworms; improving of all sorts of gardens, orchards, meadows, pastures, corn-lands, woods and coppices. N. B. With few exceptions (always identified), we only stock books in exceptional condition. 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.).