Louis Liger - La Nouvelle Maison Rustique - 1790

Full title: La Nouvelle Maison Rustique, ou economie rurale, pratique et générale de tous biens de campagne.

Two volumes. Full period calf. Gilt titles to labels to spine. Engraved frontispiece, 41 engraved plates, 5 folding plates and 15 woodcut illustrations.

Subjects covered range from the initial purchase and setting up of a country estate, to advice on all aspects of country living: the keeping of chickens, geese, ducks, swans, pelicans, pheasants, peacocks; horses; beef and dairy cows, sheep and goats, pigs, beekeeping. The second part is devoted to advice on arable farming, what to grow and how; the management of forest and marshland; notes on the use of ornamental trees and finishes with hints on trading in the produce of the estate.

The second volume is presented in two main parts: the first deals with all aspects of the garden (ornamental, kitchen, herb and fruit), the grape vine and other fruits used to produce drinks. The final part covers hunting and other country pursuits.

The binding is clean and presentable, if a little rubbed. The front hinges to both volumes are weak, with cracking to the hinges, but still holding on. Internally, both books are clean and tidy throughout. The plates are in very nice condition.

Louis Liger was the author of a number of works on domestic economy and agriculture.

xvi, 848., viii, 836. xxx, [ii] pp. 27 x 21 cm