Farming for Ladies;

London: John Murray. 1844.

First edition. Small 8vo. 167x105mm. pp. [4], xviii, 511, [1 adverts]. With engraved frontispiece, engraved half-title, and engraved illustrations and plans in the text. Bound by Remnant and Edmonds (ticket on rear pastedown) in green cloth, borders and spine decorated in blind, centre of upper cover illustrated in gilt with a farmhouse and animals. Corners bumped and worn, spine faded and bumped to head and foot and a (30mm) surface tear to the cloth at joint with upper cover. Minor marks to baords in place. Front pastedown has armorial bookplate of James Hunter of Hafton. Bookseller's ticket to front pastedown (J.Smith, Glasgow). Internally in very good condition. JISC Library hub locates ten copies and it is rare in commerce, two copies appearing in the auction records.
The introduction to this charming and instructive little book explains that it is intended "for those ladies in the middle ranks of life who study healthful domestic economy" although the author does point out that Queen Victoria has recently built a poultry-yard and dairy at Windsor. Pretty much everything one could want to know about farming is here, starting with the correct types of building and ending with killing and curing pigs. The only subject that appears to be missing is a chapter on how to avoid inheritance tax. For the next edition, perhaps.