MBA004: Lot 78. TULL, Jethro.

Prior to Tull, seeds were distributed into furrows (‘drilling’) by hand. Tull had noticed that traditional heavy sowing densities were not very efficient, so he instructed his staff to drill at very precise, low densities. By 1701, his frustration with their lack of cooperation prompted him to invent a machine to do the work for him.

Tull’s complete system was a major influence on the agricultural revolution and its impact can still be seen in today’s methods and machinery.

Description

Third edition, 8vo., xvi, 432pp., 7 folding engraved plates, contemporary sprinkled calf, sometime rebacked, spine richly gilt, red morocco lettering piece, early manuscript annotations to pages xiv-xv, red sprinkled edges, a fine copy.

Provenance

Bibliography