(GARDENING). ~ Del Giardiniero le prove. [Italy, eighteenth century].

Manuscript, small 8vo (160 × 105 mm), pp. [4], 1, [1], 2-114, [11] (the last leaf blank). In a rather untidy, but generally legible Italian hand. Old inkstain to lower margins of last few leaves at gutter with consequent corrosion, one lower forecorner (pp. 38-9) torn away before completion, so not affecting text. Contemporary carta rustica. Worn and waterstained but entirely sound.

An appealing and unsophisticated gardener’s pocket notebook of some 10,000 words, with a first part (to page 21) concerning citrus fruit cultivation and the remaining majority to growing garofolo, or carnation [Dianthus caryophyllus]. Written from an entirely practical point of view this is a veritable grower’s guide, considering details of soil, situation, containers, seasonal care, factors affecting the size of the flowers, overwintering, avoiding ailments and cultivation from seed.