COLUMELLA, L., VARRO, M.T., CATO, M.P., PALLADIUS, R.

Opera agricolationum: Columellae, Varronis, Catonique, nec non Palladii: cum Annotationibus. D. Philippi Beroaldi, et commentariis que in aliis impressionibus non extant.

      Impensis Benedicti Hectoris Bononiensi [Bologna], M.D.IIII. (1504). Small folio; ff 6, [7-36], 37-302 (f. 300 bound between ff 297-298); some staining on prelims, and old waterstains on final few leaves; neat, contemporary marginalia in some margins; wanting front free endpaper; contemporary full vellum, hand-lettered on spine; tiny old stamp (CSL?) on title. Adams C2407; Kress 25 (wanting colophon); located also at BL and Oxford; Wellcome cites the 1495 edition, and later 16th-century editions, but not this one. Generally catalogued as "Scriptores rei rustica", this collection of Latin texts from the beginning of the Christian era was the chosen reference work in the field of agricultural and rural economy well into the sixteenth century, with five editions printed in the 1400s alone. The essays deal with the problems, concerns and necessities of the "gentleman farmer" (one is reminded of Cicero's "you ask me how I spend my day on my country estate; well, I shall tell you."). Requisite animals and plants are discussed, as well as their care and cultivation, and there are recipes and suggestions for dealing with olive oil, conserves, vinegar, wine, cheese, etc.