The Gardener's Assistant; Practical and Scientific. A Guide to the Formation and Management of the Kitchen, Fruit, and Flower Garden, Robert Thompson, 1859
The Gardener’s Assistant is a substantial 19th-century manual on horticulture and garden management, written by Robert Thompson, a respected figure in Victorian botanical circles and an associate of the Royal Horticultural Society. First published in 1859, this work served both professional gardeners and enthusiastic amateurs during a period of great interest in ornamental and practical gardening.
Covering the design and upkeep of kitchen gardens, orchards, and flower beds, as well as the cultivation of conservatory, greenhouse, and stove plants, the book combines scientific knowledge with practical instruction. A detailed calendar of gardening tasks throughout the year forms a key part of its utility. The volume is richly illustrated with fine engravings and includes a set of hand-coloured plates (this copy retaining five of the twelve originally listed), reflecting the Victorian era’s fascination with plant study and classification.
The Gardener's Assistant; Practical and Scientific. A Guide to the Formation and Management of the Kitchen, Fruit, and Flower Garden, and the Cultivation Conservatory, Green House, and Stove Plants with a Copious Calender of Gardening Operations, by Robert Thompson.
Published by Blackie & Son, Glasgow and Edinburgh. 1859, presumed first edition (dated to September 1859 in Preface).
A good hardback with brown leather spine and corners, with raised bands with gilt and black morocco title label with gilt title. Covers scuffed and bumped and cloth is faded and discolored. Soundly bound. Previous owner's name - 'Isaac Silver' to first free endpaper.
Text is clean and bright throughout and well illustrated with finely detailed line drawings. Occasional scattered light usage mark or corner crease. With marbled edges to text block. The book is bound with 5 attractive Coloured Plates near the front (from 12 listed in the Plates list).
Text in English.
xv + 5 Colour Plates + 774pp.
Dimensions: Approximately 253mm high x 184mm wide x 48mm deep.
Weight approximately 1693g (unpacked).