La nouvelle maison rustique, ou économie rurale, pratique et générale de tous biens de campagne

Tenth edition statement, after the original published in 1700. It is illustrated with 38 numbered plates including two folding ones, 17 for the first volume and 21 for the second, and 35 woodcut figures in the text.

Contemporary full marbled blonde sheep binding. Spine with raised bands decorated with fillets. Red morocco title label and black morocco volume label (lacking the volume label for tome I, though the gilt lettering remains visible). Rubbed throughout. Some plates are cut shorter. Fresh throughout. Lacking at head of tome I. Tear to lower joint at foot of tome I. 4 corners bumped. Cuts to boards. 

A great editorial success of the 18th century, the Maison rustique is an encyclopedia of rural and agricultural life; it treats all subjects in a practical and customary manner: one will find a chapter on bees, but also on construction, gardens and how to design them, the farmyard, horses, harvests, all species of trees and shrubs, birds, cooking, vines, fishing, hunting... Its success lies in having concentrated a maximum of practical knowledge (without shortcuts or vulgarizations) in an almost playful manner for the reader, the chapters on gardens being exemplary in this regard.