A Treatise on the Culture of the Pine Apple. 

Together with a description of every species of Insect that infest hot-houses, with effectual methods of destroying them. By William Speechly, Gardener to the Duke of Portland.

First Edition. 8vo (206 x 126mm)., v, [8], viii-xvii, [1], 100, [3], 102-186, [2] pp., with the two engraved plates (one folding) the folding letterpress explanation of the plates and the subscribers list. Some occasional staining around the edges, some worming to the front flyleaves (and just marking the title-page slightly) title-page very lightly yellowed but otherwise a good copy. Contemporary calf-backed marbled boards, spine ruled in gilt, green morocco label to spine, vellum tips (joints split but holding, upper headcap missing).

York: by A. Ward, for, and sold by the Author, at Burlington-House, London; and at Welbeck, in Nottinghamshire,

[Bound with]: BARNES (Thomas). A New Method of Propagating Fruit-Trees, and Flowering Shrubs: whereby the common Kinds may be raised more expeditiously; and several curious exotics increased, which will not take root from cuttings or layers. Confirmed by repeated and succesful experience. Second Edition. 8vo. 40pp., with the engraved plate showing propagation by the root. A little dusty in places but otherwise fine. London: for R. Baldwin, 1759.

A good copy of Speechly's important book on English pineapple cultivation bound with another, rare, pamphlet on hot house fruits.

Speechly's first book and the publication that preceded his work on grapes, A Treatise on the Culture of the Vine (1790). Under the patronage of the third duke of Portland Speechly produced this revolutionary study on the growing of pineapples with his primary concern being that they should not be kept at too hot a temperature in the winter (ODNB). As Henrey explains: "These works by Speechly were the most important on the culture of the pineapple and the vine published during the eighteenth century, and it may be said that they laid the foundation for the improvements which followed".

Provenance: Robert J. Hayhurst, modern bookplate on the front pastedown along with a pencil note stating that this volume is from the Cavendish library at Holker.

Stock Code: 226087