Agricultural Titles Recommended by Thomas Jefferson

In its June 16, 1820, edition, the American Farmer reprinted the text of three letters written to George W. Jeffreys of North Carolina from John Taylor, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams in which the authors responded to Jeffreys' request for a "full and complete catalogue for an Agricultural Library." John Adams mentioned only the works of John Taylor, Jethro Tull and Henri Duhamel, but John Taylor, the author of Arator, recommended the writings of Arthur Young, Humphry Davy, the publications of the Agricultural Society of Philadelphia, and the proceedings of the board of agriculture of England. In an even more detailed correspondence, Jefferson enclosed the list of fifty-four titles that follows below.[i]

The first information listed (in bold) is the text as it appeared in the American Farmer followed by a full citation. Most of the full citations were obtained from Sowerby's Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, and the numbers in brackets reference the entry in the first volume for the chapter on agriculture.[ii] "Begun as a straightforward listing of the books, the [Sowerby] project grew to encompass full bibliographical descriptions, annotations regarding the circumstances of acquisitions and other matters, and extensive quotations from Jefferson's correspondence on relevant books and authors."[iii]

On the rare occasion that a title Jefferson recommended in the American Farmer list did not appear in the Catalogue, the citation was obtained from the bibliographic catalog, Worldcat.

Arrangement of titles is alphabetical by author's last name.

The asterisk marks those titles selected for inclusion in the Calvert library.

Abercrombie's Gardener's pocket Dictionary, 3 vols.
* Abercrombie, John. The Gardener's Pocket Dictionary; or, A Systematic Arrangement of Trees, Shrubs, Herbs, Flowers and Fruits; agreeable to the Linnæan Method: with their Latin and English Names, their Uses, Propagation, and Culture, in Gardens, Plantations, Greenhouses, and Hot-houses . . . The Whole comprehending Directions for the General Practice of Gardening. London: Printed for Lockyer Davis, Printer to the Royal Society, 1786. [#68]

Transactions of the Agricultural Society of New York, 4to. [There are some good works published in the Eastern States, titles unknown.]
* Agricultural Society of New York. Transactions of the Society instituted in the State of New-York, for the promotion of Agriculture, Arts, and Manufactures. Part I. Published by order of the Society. New-York: Printed by Childs and Swaine, 1792. [#41]

Geoponica Bossi, Niclasii Lipsiae, 1781, or Lat. 2 vols. 8vo.
Bassus, Cassianus. [Geoponika]=Geoponicorum siue de re rustica libri XX/. Lipsiae: Johann Nicolaus Niclas, 1781. [#2]

Traité de la vigne de Bidet et Duhamel, 2 vols. 12mo.
Bidet, Nicolas. Traité sur le Nature et sur la Culture de la Vigne; sur le Vin, la Façon de le Faire, et la Maniere de le bien gouverner. A l'usage des différens Vignobles du Royaume de France. Seconde Edition. Augmentée & corrigée, par M. Bidet . . . et revue par M. du Hamel du Monceau . . . Avec Figures. Tome Premier [Second]. A Paris: chez Savoye, 1759. [#51]

Boardley's Essays and Notes on Husbandry, 8vo.
* Bordley, John Beale. Essays and Notes on Husbandry and Rural Affairs. Philadelphia: Printed by Budd and Bartram, for Thomas Dobson, 1799. [#20]

De la Brosse de la culture du figuier, 12mo.
La Brousse, De. Traité de la Culture du Figuier, suivi d'observations & d'expériences sur la meiulleure maniere de cultiver, sur les causes de son dépérissement, & sur les moyens d'y remédier, avec Figures. A Amsterdam: et se trouve a Paris, chez Valade, & a Toulouse, chez Dupleix & Laporte, 1774. [#77]

Brown's Rural Affairs
* Brown, Robert. A Treatise on ariculture and rural affairs. Edinburgh: Oliphant, Waugh, and Innes, 1811.

Traite sur la vigne, par Chaptal Rozier, Parmentier et Dussieux, 2 vols. 8vo.
Chaptal, Jean Antoine Claude, comte de Chanteloup; Antoine Auguste Parmentier; François Rozier; and Louis d'Ussieux. Traité théorique et pratique sur la Culture de la Vigne, avec l'Art de Faire le Vin, les Eaux-de-Vie, Esprit de Vin, Vinaigres simples et composes. Seconde edition. Tome Premier [-Second]. A Paris: chez Delalain, fils, de l'Imprimerie de Marchant, An X.-1801. [#52]

Daubenton's advice to Shepherds, 8vo. [translated and published in Boston]
* Daubenton, Louis Jean Marie. Advice to Shepherds and Owners of Flocks, on the Care and Management of Sheep. Translated from the original French of M. Daubenton [by James Bowdoin]. First edition. Boston: Printed by Joshua Belcher, 1810. [#58]

Dickson's Husbandry of the Ancients, 2 vols. 8vo.
* Dickson, Adam. The Husbandry of the Ancients. In two volumes. Edinburgh: Printed for J. Dickson and W. Creech; London: G. Robinson and T. Cadell, 1788. [#4].

Duhamel's Husbandry
* Duhamel du Monceau, Henri Louis. A Practical Treatise on Husbandry: wherein are contained, many Useful and Valuable Experiemnts and Observations in the New Husbandry, Collected, during a Series of Years, by the Celebrated M. Duhamel du Monceau . . . Also, The most approved Practice of the best English Farmers, in the Old Method of Husbandry. With Copper-Plates of several new and useful instruments. the Second Edition, corrected and improved. [Translated by John Mills.] London: Printed for C. Hitch and L. Hawes [and others], 1762. [#16]

Evelyn's Sylva
* Evelyn, John. Sylva, or a Discourse of Forest-Trees, and the Propagation of Timber in His Majesties Dominions. London: Printed by Jo. Martyn, and Ja. Allestry, Printers to the Royal Society, 1664. [#57]

Evelyn's Terra, by Hunter, 4to.
* Evelyn, John. Terra: A Philosophical Discourse of Earth. Relating to the Culture and Improvement of it for Vegetation, and the Propagation of Plants, as it was presented to the Royal Society. York: Printed by A. Ward for J. Dodsley, T. Cadell, J. Robson, R. Baldwin, London; J. Todd, 1787. [#35]

Istruzzione elementari di Agricultura del Fabbroni, 8vo.
Fabbroni, Adamo. Istruzioni elementari di agricoltura. Perugia: dai torchi de C. Baduel, [1786]. [#43]

Culture de la Grosse Asperge de Hollande par Filassier, 12mo.
Fillassier, Jean Jacques. Culture de la grosse Asperge, dite de Hollande, la plus precoce, la plus hative, la plus feconde & la plus durable que l'on connoisse. Traite qui presente les moyens de la cultiver avec success en toutes sortes de terres. Par M. Fillassier, des Academies d'Arras, de Lyon, de Marseille, & Correspondant de celle de Toulouse. Noivelle Edition, revue et corrigee. Vingt-quatre sols, broche. A Amsterdam; et se trouve a Paris: chez Mequignon l'aine, 1783. [#69]

Forsythe on the culture and management of Fruit Trees, 8vo.
* Forsyth, William. A Treatise on the Culture and Management of Fruit Trees; in which A New Method of Pruning and Training is Fully Described. Together with Observations on the Diseases, Defects, and Injuries, in all kinds of Fruit and Forest Trees; as also, An Account of a Particular Method of Cure, Made Public by orderof the British Government. Philadelphia: Printed for J. Morgan, 1802. [#72]

American Gardener, by Gardiner and Hepburn, 12mo. [Washington]
* Gardiner, John and David Hepburn. The American Gardener, containing ample directions for working a kitchen garden, every month in the year; And copious instructions for the cultivation of Flower Gardens, Vineyards, Nurseries, Hop-Yards, Green Houses and Hot Houses. City of Washington: Printed by Samuel H. Smith, for the Authors, 1804. [#73]

Mill's Chemical Elements of Agriculture, 12mo.
* Gyllenborg, Gustavus Adolphus, Count. The Natural and Chemical Elements of Agriculture. Translated from the Latin by John Mills. London: printed for J. Bell and C. Etherington, 1770. [#36]

Hale's Body of Husbandry, 4 vols. 8vo.
* Hale, Thomas. A Compleat Body of Husbandry. Containing Rules for performing, in the most profitable Manner, the whole Business of the Farmer and Country Gentleman, in Cultivating, Planting and Stocking of Land . . . Compiled from the Original Papers of the late Thomas Hale, Esq; And enlarged by many new and useful Communications on practical Subjects, from the Collections of Col. Stevenson, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Storey, Mr. Osborne, the Reverend Mr. Turner, and others . . . Illustrated with a great Number of Cuts . . . Published by his Majesty's Royal Licence and Authority. The Second Edition. London: Printed for Tho. Osborne, Tho. Trye, and S. Crowder and Co., 1758. [#12]

Hale's Statical Essays, 2vols, 8vo.
* Hales, Stephen. Statical Essays: containing Vegetable Staticks; Or, an Account of some Statical Experiments on the Sap in Vegetables. Being An Essay towards a Natural History of Vegetation . . . Also a Specimen of an Attempt to Analyse the Air . . . London: Printed for W. Innys and R. Manby, T. Woodward and J. Peele, 1738. [#21]

Homes Principles of Agriculture and Vegetations, 8vo.
* Home, Francis. The Principles of Agriculture and Vegetation. London: Printed for A. Millar in the Strand, and A. Kincaid and J. Bell, at Edinburgh, 1762. [#23]

Home's Gentleman Farmer, 8vo.
* Home, Henry, Lord Kames. The Gentleman Farmer: Being an Attempt to Improve Agriculture by subjecting it to the Test of rational Principles. The Second Edition, with considerable Additons . . . Edinburgh: Printed for John Bell, 1779. [#22]

Kirwan on Manures, 12mo.
* Kirwan, Richard. The Manures most advantageously applicable to the various Sorts of Soils, and the Causes of their beneficial Effect in each particular instance…The Fourth Edition. London: Printed for Vernor and Hood, 1796. [#25 iv]

Knight on the Apple and Pear, on Cide and Perry, 12mo.
* Knight, T. A. A treatise on the culture of the apple & pear and on the manufacture of cider & perry. Ludlow [England]: Printed and sold by H. Procter, 1797.

Langley's Pomona, folio
* Langley, Batty. Pomona, or, The Fruit-Garden Illustrated. Containing Sure Methods for Improving all the Best Kinds of Fruits now Extant in England . . . To which is added, a Curious Account of the most Valuable Cyder-Fruits of Devonshire. The Whole Illustrated with above Three Hundred Drawings of the several Fruits, Curiously Engraven on Seventy-nine large Folio Plates. London: Printed for G. Strahan [and others], 1729. [#71]

Lasteyrie du Cotomier et de sa culture, 8vo.
Lasteyrie-du Saillant, Charles Philibert, Comte de. Du Cotonnier et de sa Culture . . . Par Charles Philibert de Lasteyrie . . . Avec trios Figures. A Paris: chez Arthus-Bertrand [de l'Imprimerie de Me. Ve. Jeunehomme], 1808. [#55]

Lasteyrie sur les betes a laine d'Espagne, 8vo.
Lasteyrie-du Saillant, Charles Philibert, Comte de. Traité sur les Bêtes-à-Laine D'Espagne; Leur éducation, leurs voyages, la tonte, le lavage et le commerce des laines, les causes qui donnent la finesse aux laines . . . Avec une Planche . . . Par C.-P. Lasteyrie, de la Société d' Agriculture, et de celle Philomatique de Paris, etc. A Paris: [se vend chez le Directeur de la Feuille du Cultivateur, Dugour, Desenne et Debra, Merlin] de l'Imprimerie de la Feuille du Cultivateur, An VII de la République, 1799. [#59]

Coros di Agricultura dal Proposito Lastri, 5 vols. 12mo.
Lastri, Marco Antonio. Corso di Agricoltura di un Accademico Georgofilo Autore della Biblioteca Georgica. Edizione Terza accresciuta e corretta. Tomo I [-V]. Firenze: nella Stamperia del Giglio, 1801-3. [#27]

Livingston's Essay on Sheep, 8vo.
* Livingston, Robert R. Essay on Sheep; their Varieties--Account of the Merinoes of Spain, France, & c. Reflections on the best Method of Treating them, and Raising a Flock in the United States; together with miscellaneous Remarks on Sheep and Woollen Manufactures. New York: Printed by T. and J. Swords, 1809. [#60]

Maupin sur la vigne, 8vo.
Maupin. Nouvelle méthode non encore publiée pour planter et cultiver la vigne à beaucoup moins de frais . . . joints à la Théorie ou leçon sur le temps le plus convenable de couper la vendange . . . par M. Maupin. Paris: Musier, 1782. [#51]

Every Man his own Gardener, by Mawe, 12 mo.
* Mawe, Thomas [John Abercrombie]. Every Man his own Gardener: Being a New, and much more Complete, Gardener's Kalendar than any one hitherto published. Continaing, not only an Account of what Work is necessary to be done in the Hot-house, Green-house, Shrubbery, Kitchen, Flower, and Fruit Gardens, for every Month in the Year, but also ample Directions for performing the said Work, according to the newest and most approved Methods now in practice among the best Gardeners. London: Printed for W. Griffin in the Strand; W. Chase at Norwich; T. Toft at Chelmsford; and E. Etherington, at New York, 1767. [#67]

MacMahon's American Gardener's Calendar, 8vo. [Philadelphia]
* McMahon, Bernard. The American Gardener's Calendar; adapted to the Climates and Seasons of the United States. Containing a complete Account of all the Work necessary to be done in the Kitchen-Garden, Fruit-Graden, Orchard, Vineyard, Nursery, Pleasure-Ground, Flower-Garden, Green-House, Hot-House, and Forcing Frames, for every Month in the Year; with ample practical Directions for Performing the same. Philadelphia: Printed by B. Graves, for the Author, 1806. [#74]

Millar's Gardener's Dictionary, folio
* Miller, Philip. The Gardeners Dictionary: containing the best and newest methods of cultivating and improving the kitchen, fruit, flower garden, and nursery; as also for performing the practical parts of agriculture: including the management of vineyards, with the methods of making and preserving wine, according to the present practice of the most skilful vignerons in the several wine countries in Europe. . . The eighth edition, revised and altered according to the latest system of botany; and embellished with several copper-plates, which were not in some former editions. London: Printed for the Author, and sold by John and Francis Rivington [and others], 1768. [#65]

Millar's Gardener's Calendar, 8vo.
* Miller, Philip. The Gardeners Kalendar; Directing what Works are necessary to be performed every Month in the Kitchen, Fruit, and Pleasure-Gardens, as also in the Conservatory and Nursery . . . London: Printed for the Author; and sold by John Rivington, H. Woodfall, A. Millar, [and others], 1765. [#64]

Owen's Translation of the Geoponics, Eng. 2 vols. 8vo.
* Owen, Thomas. Geoponika: Agricultural pursuits. Thomas Owen. London: Printed for author, 1805-1806.

Memoirs of the Philadelphia Agricultural Society, 2 vols 8vo. [now 4.]
* Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture. Memoirs of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture: contain communications on various subjects in husbandry & rural affairs. Philadelphia: Johnson & Warner, 1808- [#42; part of citation from Worldcat]

Peters' Agricultural Inquiries on Gypsum, 8vo.
* Peters, Richard. Agricultural Enquiries on Plaister of Paris. Also, Facts, Observations and Conjectures on that Substance, when applied as Manured. Collected, chiefly from the practice of farmers in Pennsylvania, and published as much with a view to invite, as to give information. Philadelphia: Printed by Charles Cist and John Markland, 1797. [#38]

A Treatise on Gardening, by John Randolph, 16's [Richmond]
* Randolph, John. A Treatise on Gardening. Richmond: Printed by Thomas Nicholson, 1793. [#69]

Traité sur les Abeitles par della Bocca, 3 vols. 8vo.
Rocca, Della, Abbé. Traité complet sur les abeilles, avec une méthode nouvelle de les gouverner, telle qu'elle se pratique à Syra, île de l'Archipel; précédé d'un précis historique et économique de cette île. Paris: Bleuet pére, 1790. [#76]

Dizzionario D'Agricultura dal Ronconi, 2 vols. 8vo.
Ronconi, Ignazio. Dizionario d'agricoltura o sia la coltivazione italiana, in cui si contiene la coltura, e conservazione de' diversi prodotti riguardanti le terre seminative, I prati, I bosche, le vigne, ed I giardini . . . Raccolto dale piu' secure e recenti osservazioni da Ignazio Ronconi Fiorentino . . . Nuova edizione corretta e notabilmente accresciuta dall'atore di molti utilissimi articoli a maggior comodo degli amatory dell' agricoltura e divisa in Quattro tomi. In Venezia: per Francesco Sansoni, 1783. [#28]

Rozier, {There is a body of French Husbandry published by the Abbi? Rozier and others, of high reputation, in 10 or 12 vols. 4to. titles not recollected}
See Chaptal or possibly Rozier, François, Jean-Antoine-Claude Chaptal, comte de Chanteloup, and Andre Thouin. Cours complet d'agriculture, théorique, pratique, économique et de médecine rurale et vétérinaire, ou, Dictionnaire universel d'agriculture. A Paris: Chez Delalain, 1785-1805. 12 vols.

Occonomie rulale de Saboureux, 6 vols. 8vo [a translation of Cato, Barro, Columella, Palladius]
Saboureux de la Bonnetrie, Charles François. Traduction d'Anciens Ouvrages Latins relatifs à l'Agriculture et à la Médicine Vétérinaire, avec des Notes: Par M. Saboureux de la Bonnetrie. . . Tome Premier [-Tome Sixieme] . . . A Paris: Chez P. Fr. Didot, [1771-1175]. [#3]

Scriptores rei rusticae veteres, (Cato, Barro, Columella, Palladius,) the edition published at Leipsic by Schneider, about 1790-9 vols. 8vo.
Schneider, Johann Gottlob. Scriptorvm rei rvsticae vetervm Latinorvm…/
Lipsiae [Germany] Sumptibus Casp. Fritsch, 1794-1797. [#1; citation from WorldCat]

Theatre D'Agriculture de De Serres, 2 vols. 4to. the late edition with modern learned notes.
Serres, Olivier de. Le Théâtre d'Agriculture et Mesnage des Champs, d'Olivier de Serres, Seigneur du Pradel; dans lequel est représenté tout ce qui est requis et nécessaire pour bien dresser, gouverner, enrichir et embellir la Maison Rustique. Nouvelle Édition conforme au texte, augmentée de Notes et d'un Vocabulaire. A Paris: De l'Imprimerie et dans la Librairie de Madam Huzard, [1804-1805] [#5]

Taylor's Arator, 12mo.
* Taylor, John. Arator; being a series of Agricultural Essays, practical & political: in sixty-one numbers. Georgetown, Columbia: Printed and Published by J.M. and J.B. Carter, 1813. [#78]

L'Agricultore del Trinci, 2 vols. 12mo. or 1 vol. 8vo.
Trinci, Cosimo. L'agricoltore Sperimentato,: Ovvero Regole generali sopra l'agricoltura . . .Venezia, 1796. [#29]

Tull's Horse-hoeing Husbandry, 8vo.
* Tull, Jethro. Horse-Hoeing Husbandry: or, An Essay on the Principles of Vegetation and Tillage. Designed to introduce a new Method of Culture; whereby the Produce of Land will be increased, and the usual Expence lessened. Together with accurate Descriptions and Cuts of the Instruments employed in it. London: Printed for A. Millar, 1762. [#13]

Reflexious sur L'agriculture de Naples, par Tuppruti, 8vo.
Tupputi, Dominique. Réflexions succintes sur l'état actuel de l'Agriculture, et de quelques autres parties de l'administration dans le royaume de Naples . . . précédées d'une Introduction ou coup d'oeil sur l'ancien état de ce pays . . . Seconde édition. Paris: imprimerie de Le Becq, 1807 [#53]

Della Coltivazione degli ulivi del vettori, é degli agrunic, 8vo.
Vettori, Pietro. Trattato di Piero Vettori delle lodi e della coltivazione degli ulivi. Nuova accuratissima edizioine. Presa da quella del 1710 citata dagli Accademici della Crusca. Colle annotazioni del dott. Giuseppe Bianchini di Prato e di Domenico M. Manni . . . Firenze: nella stamperia di G. B. Stecchi, 1762. [#54]

Young's Farmer's Guide, 8vo.
* Young, Arthur. The Farmer's Guide in Hiring and Stocking Farms . . . Also, plans of Farm-yards, and sections of the necessary buildings . . . In Two Volumes. By the Author of the Farmer's Letters. Dublin: printed for J. Exshaw, 1771. [#18]

Young's Travels in France. {Young's Annals of Agriculture, and many other works, written merely for money, are scarcely worth buying-Those here named contain whatever of his is worth having.}
* Young, Arthur. Travels during the years 1787, 1788 and 1789, undertaken more particularly with a View of ascertaining the Cultivation, Wealth, Resources, and National Prosperity of the Kingdom of France. To which is added, the Register of a Tour into Spain. Dublin: Printed for Messrs. R. Cross, P. Wogan, L. White, P. Byrne [and others], 1793. [#37]

The Rural Socrates
* Originally written in German, Wirthschaft eines philosphischen Bauers, by Hans Kaspar Hirzel. Arthur Young translated the work into English from the French version and attached it to his Rural Economy.

Young's Rural Economy, 8vo.
* Young, Arthur. Rural Oeconomy: or, Essays on the Practical Parts of Husbandry. Designed to explain several of the most important methods of conducting farms of various kinds; including many useful hints to gentlemen farmers relative to the œconomical management of their business… To which is added, The rural Socrates: being memoirs of a country philosopher. London: Printed for T. Becket, 1772. [#17]

Young's Experimenta Agriculture, 3 vols. 8vo.
* Young, Arthur. A course of experimental agriculture: containing an exact register of all the business transacted during five years on near three hundred acres of various soils . . . London: Printed for J. Dodsley, 1770. [not in Catalogue as a separate entry but is mentioned in entry for Young's Rural Economy.]

* included on Calvert library list

[i] John Taylor, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, "Catalogue of An Agricultural Library," American Farmer 2, 12 (June 16, 1820): 93-94. Quote is from Jefferson letter, 93.

[ii] Library of Congress. Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson: Compiled with Annotations by E. Millicent Sowerby. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1952-1959. 5 vols. In accordance with Jefferson's categories the catalogue is divided into three parts: History, Philosophy, and Fine Arts. In turn, each main division is divided into chapters. The seventh chapter in the first volume is devoted to agriculture although agriculture-related titles may be found in other chapters, especially chemistry and botany.

[iii] http://www.loc.gov/catdir/toc/becites/main/jefferson /88607928.refs.html

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