The timber-tree improved, or, The best practical methods of improving different lands, with proper timber...

The timber-tree improved, or, The best practical methods of improving different lands, with proper timber : and those fruit-trees whose woods make the most profitable returns to their owners, according to the newest inventions, by the plough, harrow, and other methods most approved of : in two parts was authored by William Ellis in two separate parts sometime between 1700 and 1758. Much like its title suggests, the book suggests ways to improve the health of timber and fruit trees as well as the quality of timber obtained from such trees.

Background

Provenance

This copy of the book was owned by Lord Edward Suffield. This is apparent from the bookplate within the front cover, which matches up with Edward the 3rd Baron of Suffield's coat of arms. There is no clear date that notes when Penn acquired the book, so it is reasonable to say that it was acquired sometime during or after Lord Edward Suffield's lifetime from 1781 to 1835. The lack of any markings that may have been made by other owners or readers of the book also suggest that the book was acquired during or shortly after Lord Suffield passed.

Physical Attributes and Platform

The covers and spine of this book contain wood pulp wrapped in some sort of leather material. The front cover of the book has detached from the rest of the book, likely due to age. The leather material the cover is wrapped in is also deteriorating and flaking off due to age. The book seems to be presented in a very standard platform, with a vertical rectangular shape, binding with cloth thread, and a cover made with wood material similar to cardboard wrapped in animal skin.

Substrate

The book's substrate is made primarily from wood pulp, similar to materials found in other books made around the same time period this book was published. Within the book, the pages have consistent horizontal lines, suggesting that the paper was most likely printed within a paper mill. The pages also have a consistent reddish-yellowish hue, which is most likely due to the natural aging of the book.

Marginalia

This copy of the book does not appear to have any markings in its pages, excluding the bookplate from the original owner and markings made by the library for cataloging purposes. This may suggest that the book was not heavily read before the book entered circulation within Penn Libraries, or that Lord Suffield or subsequent book owners were very careful not to leave behind any markings or marginalia within the book. The book also has no evidence of any stains or discolorations within its pages, further suggesting that it was not read a substantial amount before being donated to Penn Libraries, or that whoever did read it made sure that they were not leaving any markings within the book.

Format and Navigation

This book is a codex and exists in a quarto format, which is evidenced by the fact that pages are in groupings of 8. The publisher page numbering used to denote the quarto format is very standard. A letter and number printed at the bottom of each page (i.e. B2) were used by the publisher to compile the book properly in the right page order.

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