The Pennsylvania Farmer; Being a Selection from the Most Approved Treatises on Husbandry, Interspersed with Observations and Experiments

Philadelphia: Published and sold by Jacob Johnson & Co., Sold also by C. Pierce, and W.& D. Treadwell, Portsmouth; W.P.& L. Blake, Boston; Beers & How, New-Haven; Whiting, Backus & Whiting, and C.R.& G. Webster, Albany; O. Penniman & Co., Troy; Thomas & Whipple, Newbury-port; George Hill and Warner & Hanna, Baltimore ; R.& J. Grey, Alexandria; and S. Pleasants, and W. Prichard, Richmond; A. Bartram, Printer, 1804. Duodecimo (18 x 11 cm.), v, (3), [5]-224 pages. Index. FIRST EDITION. An early American survey of agriculture and agricultural practices, with information partially borrowed from Spurrier and Bordley, as well as some gleaned from the author's own polls. On drink, Roberts writes, "I would wish to introduce the drinking of beer in this country, for the common drink; knowing by experience that it is the most wholesome beverage made use of, therefore recommend it to private families to brew their own beer." There are also a few pages on cider, and some discussion of grasses. Veterinary interests extend to a cure for Botts, a worm particularly damaging to horses. There is also information and useful recipes regarding gypsum, plaster, salt, and 'stuffing boots'. ~ Contemporary tree calf (a little eroded at spine ends), red morocco spine label, titles in gilt; spine gilt-ruled. Age-toned and lightly foxed throughout, but still a very good copy. With the bookplate of culinary collector Marcus Crahan and earlier period ink ownership inscription of the 'Buckingham Library' to the front paste down. Scarce. [Bidwell 546; Rink 1148; Sabin 71898; American Imprints 7203].