DAVY, HUMPHRY. - INTRODUCING SCIENTIFIC FARMING.

Elements of Agricultural Chemistry, in the Course of Lectures for the Board of Agriculture.

London, Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1813. 4to. Contemp. full mottled calf, richly gilt spine. Engraved frontispiece. VIII,323,LXIII,(5) pp. and 9 engraved plates (1 folding). Faint offsetting from plates. A few brownspots. Upper ineer corner of the last 2 leaves with a bit of browning. Wide-margined, a fine copy.

First edition of this importent work which is considered the first text book dealing with the application of chemistry to agriculture. It is the "first serious attempt to apply chemistry to agriculture (which) remained a standard work until displaced by Justus Liebig's publications a generation later" (DSB).

"An importent book that introduced the era of scientific farming and the use of "chemically balanced" fertilizers.... Davy, the first to use the term 'agricultural chemistry', was also the first to point out that agricultural chemistry is concerned with only a limited number of elements. The most complete list of elements that had yet appeared is given (pp. 39-44), including chlorine, which Davy had proven an element. Davy here recognizes the importence of soil analysis and the measurement of its physical properties. It was well received, and several English and American editions appeared, as well as translations in foreign languages." (Roy G. Neville Historical Chemical Library Vol. I, pp. 333-334).

Duveen, pp. 644-45.

Order-nr.: 48746