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 around 1744-1745. 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

Author

The book was written by William Ellis, who claims in the preface that he wrote this book because he wants to share certain methods and secrets related to forestry and trees with other farmers and timber harvesters. Ellis was important to the agricultural history of England and at the time was the most widely published author of agricultural books in England in what can be called agricultural journalism. Ellis also wrote other books related to agriculture as well, which was based on not only his own experiences in farming but also conversations he held with others he met while traveling. His books were very widely read throughout Europe and the American colonies, and he took these opportunities to advertise his own business as an agricultural supplier. William Ellis was born approximately in 1700 and died in 1759.

Circulation and Audience

William Ellis authored the book from his farm in Little Gaddesden in Hertfordshire, and the book was printed and published in London. Text denoting the publishers' names and locations suggests that it was published and distributed in England and Ireland. Other texts and evidence suggest that the book was also read throughout continental Europe and in the American colonies.

Because of the Statute of Anne in 1710, the object is most likely copyrighted to the William Ellis and licensed to specific printers that are listed within the book. The fact that the author’s name is clearly listed on the title page in relatively large font suggests that credit and possible copyright is being given to the author. The publisher’s names at the bottom of the title page and advertisements at the end of each part suggest that the content of the book is being licensed to the publishers by Ellis, who wants to make it clear who wrote the book, as the book also serves as an advertisement for his own farmstead and business.

The book was most likely read by farmers and timber harvesters who wanted to enter the business of growing trees and harvesting timber or were looking to make their farms healthier and more capable of producing good timber. In addition, some sections of the book also relate to the health of fruit trees, which may also be useful to farmers with orchards. The layout and content of the book suggest that the book was not made in mind for casual reading but for referencing specific sections when the time came. Most likely, farmers who wanted to expand the variety of trees their farm was growing would reference the specific chapters of the book related to the trees that they wanted to grow. Other farmers who had trees that were sickly and not growing well could reference the sections of the book about the trees they were growing and potentially find methods to improve the trees' health.

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

Platform, Structure, and Binding

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.

The book is bound with some sort of threaded material or string in a way that is contemporary with the publication date, which can be seen especially because this copy’s front cover is detached.

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.

Specific Copy

The first and second parts of the book were written and published in separate years. The first part of the book was published in 1744 by T. Osborne and M. Cooper. It is the third edition of the first part, with the original edition possibly being printed in 1741. The second part also lists T. Bacon as a publisher and was published in 1742. Because the book was published in two separate parts, the compilation of this copy, which puts together both parts into one bound book, must have been done at some point after the third edition of the first part was published in 1744. Additionally, at the end of the first part, it seems there is also advertising for J. and J. Fox, a different publisher, who may have selectively published the first part. This suggests that the book was published by several different people and their businesses, and that some of the publishers may have changed between the two parts or after the two parts were to start being bound together into a singular book.

Format and Navigation

First page of Table of Contents at right. Second page of Preface at left.

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.

The book provides a table of contents for both the first and second parts. There are page numberings throughout the book, one set for the first part and another set for the second part. Each page has a heading at the top that indicates the section or chapter of the book the page is located within. Each chapter has a very clear beginning, which is evidenced by a printed line of flower illustrations and larger text with the title of the new section. These mechanisms may indicate that readers might be expected to have to reference only specific sections of the book at certain times, since the book is clearly delineated by headings, subheadings, and page numbers. However, a certain level of reading skill and book familiarity is also expected from readers, since they are expected to have knowledge of how to use these mechanisms to their advantage.

Other Attributes

The author includes a preface at the beginning of the first part. This preface uses a first person perspective and describes why the book was written, suggesting that the preface was written by the author himself. The preface includes information on why Ellis is qualified to write the book and what benefits the book can give the reader.

The book also includes two publishers' advertisements, one after the first part and the other after the second part. Both advertisements are from different publishers and use both a front and back page to list the books being published by the specific publishers, encouraging readers to buy these other books as well. This was most likely a result of the publisher having an extra page to print on and using it to advertise the books they were selling.

The second part of the book also includes an advertisement for another book William Ellis was in the process of writing on the back of the second part's title page. This book was entitled The Modern Husbandman, For the Month of June.