A Method of Producing Double Flowers from Single, by a Regular Course of Culture.

HILL, John.

Published by London: Printed for R. Baldwin, 1758

About this Item

First edition of this horticultural work by the botanist who helped introduce Linnaean taxonomy into England. It is illustrated with eight plates depicting a range of tulips and veronicas, depicted with "considerable artistic and technical ability" (Olivier, p. 101). John Hill (c.1714-1775) trained as an apothecary, during which he attended lectures at the Chelsea Physic Garden. He later worked as a gardener at Kensington Palace and managed the collection of the Duke of Richmond, who enabled him to travel extensively in pursuit of new acquisitions. He applied this experience in numerous botanical publications, producing such major works as the British Herbal (1756). Hill not only helped popularize Linnaean taxonomy, he also made some influential alterations to it: "although he highly appreciated the work of Linnaeus he disliked his system of classification on account of its artificiality. many of his minor differences have been warranted. For instance, Linnaeus merged the genera Valeria-nella and Linaria into those of Valeriana and Antirrhinum respectively; Hill however recognized the generic rank of the two former" (Olivier, pp. 103-4). For Henrey, Hill's work spurred the botanical world to retain much pre-Linnaean terminology. The Method shows Hill bringing a more scientifically informed approach to horticulture than was common at the time: for many years he was a loyal participant at the Royal Society's meetings and an acquaintance of Folkes, Sloane, and Watson. While well represented institutionally, the Method is uncommon in commerce: we trace no other copies. ESTC T39310; Henrey II, p. 644. Not in Stafleu & Cowan or Cleveland. F. W. Olivier, Makers of British Botany, 1913. Octavo (194 x 123 mm), pp. 40. Bound without half-title. With 8 folding engraved plates, wood-engraved initial and headpiece. Recent blue boards, grey paper backstrip with label printed in black, edges sprinkled red. With 3 discreetly repaired short closed tears to title page, a few brown spots and small worm holes to same and subsequent two leaves (just touching text, sense fully recoverable), final leaf trimmed close at foot, contents lightly damp stained in places, plate impressions strong and unfaded: a very good copy.

Seller Inventory # 182738

Bibliographic Details

• Title: A Method of Producing Double Flowers from Single, by a Regular Course of Culture.
• Publisher: London: Printed for R. Baldwin, 1758
• Edition: 1st Edition