ELLIS (William). The Modern Husbandman: or, the Practice of Farming: As it is now carried on by the most Accurate Farmers in several Counties of England.1744

Dublin: Printed by and for George Fawlkner, First Irish edition, 8vo (198 x 125 mm),12 parts bound in 3 vols., (complete) each part with its own title-page, viii, 9-124; viii, 125, [3 adverts]; viii, 9-126, [2 adverts]; viii, 9-132; xii, 147, [1]; viii, 145, [3 adverts]; viii, 112, [1]; vii, [1], 104; viii, 114, [2 adverts]; [2], cxix-cxxiii, [1], 125-244; [2], ccxlv-cclii, [2], 253-368; [2], ccclxxv-ccclxxviii, 379-496pp., with all advert leaves, part II has title and contents leaves misbound, part XII has title bound at rear, small ink stain to several leaves of vol. I which doesn't intrude into the text, cont. full calf, morocco spine labels lettered in gilt, label to vol. III slightly chipped otherwise a very handsome set in a contemporary binding. This is Ellis's most important work, arranged in the form of an agricultural calendar. Each part was issued separately with its own title page, complete set are extremely hard to find. William Ellis (c.1700–1758), agriculturist and writer. After a short period in the brewing industry, Ellis bought Church Farm at Little Gaddesden, near Hemel Hamstead, Hertfordshire, were he combined the practice of farming with his passion for writing on the subject. His writings were far more successful than his farming activities and his early books were very well received and "farmers in all parts of the country asked him to visit and report on their farms. He travelled over the country giving advice and observing different farming methods... Many farmers visited Ellis's farm at Little Gaddesden, but they found that he did not practise what he advocated in print, that his implements were old-fashioned, and that his land was neglected and in bad condition." (ODNB). Provenance: Small neat ink stamp of the Lawes Agricultural Library to the title of the first 2 volumes. Fussell II, p. 7; Perkins 561 (the London edition of 1744); Aslin, p.43.