The Cincinnatus. Volume IV by Cary, F. G. et al. (Eds.)

College Hill, Ohio: W.H. Ongley, 1859- 60. First edition (January- August, December 1859; February 1860). In paper-covered card binding with illustrations of mixed quality and condition, including nice engravings of scientific instruments (‘Spencer’s Large Trunnion Microscope’, ‘Marsh’s Challenge Oil Press’) and hand-coloured lithographs (‘People’s College’, Havana, NY, and dwarf pear tree); an engraving of Berckmans Nursery and the ‘Botanical Characteristics of Maize’; and others, less appealing (‘Winter Scene on the Catterskill’, for example, shows a human figure and a puzzled-looking bear, both apparently skating, and is badly browned and blotched; ‘Concord Grape’ is trimmed; one folding plate is torn at and ends at the fold. This periodical ‘devoted to scientific agriculture, horticulture, education, and improvement of rural taste’ captured a variety of practical and scientific topics-- e.g., ‘Niagara Falls- Its Relation to Chronology’, ‘Is the Sorghum a Success?’, ‘The Natural History of Insects’, Report of the ‘Strawberry Committee’. Several samples of sentimental or patriotic verse scattered throughout. Front and back covers worn (the April and December titles pasted on card), spine worn. Still, generally tight binding and generally clean text. A hard to find publication. Not a pretty copy but uncommon in any condition