The Compleat Gard'ner: Or, Directions for Cultivating And Right Ordering Of Fruit-Gardens, And Kitchen-Gardens...The Second Edition, Corrected.

London: Printed for M.Gillyflower, 1699. Second Edition of George London and Henry Wise's corrected abridgement of the English translation of La Quintinye's Instruction pour les jardins fruitiers et potages. John Evelyn was credited with the English translation published in folio format in 1693 although Henrey (British Botanical and Horticultural Literature before 1800, Vol. I, p. 189) notes that George London may have had some hand in it. La Quintinye was successively responsible for the gardens of the Prince de Condé, Mademoiselle de Montpensier, the Duc de Montausier, and Jean-Baptiste Colbert. On March 17, 1670, he was introduced by Colbert to Louis XIV, who named him 'director of the fruit gardens and vegetable gardens of all the royal houses', a position created especially for him. In 1678, he began the creation of the new kitchen garden at Versailles, completed five years later in 1683. This garden is now classified as a historical monument since 1921. In reward for his services La Quintinye was knighted by Louis XIV in 1687. George London and Henry Wise who were responsible for the English abridgement became partners in Brompton Park Nursery in 1700, building it into the foremost Nursery Garden in England over the next quarter century. As leading garden designers of the period their names are associated with Chatsworth, Castle Howard and Melbourne. London held the appointment of Master Gardener and Deputy Superintendent of the Royal Gardens during the reign of William III while Wise was responsible for the upkeep of the Royal parks and gardens during the reign of Queen Anne. Our copy appears to be an unrecorded variant; while it is a stated second edition, the imprint makes no mention of the book being sold by Andrew Bell. Wing L432-432a. Henrey 219-220. 8vo. pp. 1 p.l., xiv, [4], xv-xxxv,, 309 i.e. 325], [7]. 11 engraved plates (incl. frontis.; 10 folding). 1 engraved text illus. contemporary paneled calf, rebacked with worn spine mounted, corners renewed (some light foxing & browning, light dampstaining to some leaves, some plates with few tears - no loss). cloth slipcase. elala5616