SERRES (Olivier de). Le Théâtre d'agriculture et mesnage des champs. Ou est représenté tout ce qui est requis & necessaire pour bien Dresser, Gouverner, Enrichir & Embellir la Maison Rustique. Derniere edition, Reveuë & Augmentée par l'Autheur. Genève : Matthieu Berjon, 1611. - In-8, 176 x 110: (32 ff.), 1198 pp. (17 ff. first blank), 1 plate. Havana glazed calf, gilt fillet and gilt oval iron in the center of the boards, gilt title on the first board and gilt author's name on the second, ribbed spine decorated with cold fillets and gilt fleurons (modern imitation binding). Vicaire, 788. Fifth edition of this famous treatise on agronomy by Olivier de Serres (1539-1619), first published in 1600. It appeared at both Geneva and Cologne addresses. This is one of only 8 editions published during the author's lifetime, and the work has been officially published 25 times since 1600. This is an important treatise, as it is the first since antiquity to consider agricultural science from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Begun in 1559 on the basis of research carried out by the author on his own farm, it is divided into 8 parts or "places": De bien cognoistre & choisir les Terres, pour les acquerir & employer selon leur naturel. Approprier l'habitation Champestre, & ordonner de la conduite de son mesnage. - Ploughing of Grain Lands, to obtain all kinds of Bleds. - The cultivation of vines, to obtain all types of wine, as well as Passe-rilles and other kindnesses derived from grapes. Together with other beverages for places where vines cannot grow. - Four-legged cattle, pasturing them, caring for them & the comforts they provide. - On the management of the henhouse, the dovecote, the Garenne, the Park, the Pond, the Ruscher, & the Silkworms. - Des Jardinages, pour avoir des Herbes & Fruits Potagers : des Herbes & Fleurs odorantes : des Herbes medicinales, des Fruits des Arbres : du Saffran, du Lin, du Chanvre, du Cuesde, de la Garence, des Chardons-à-draps, des Rozeaux : en suite, la maniere de faire les cloisons pour la conservation des Fruits en general. - Water and wood. - On the use of food, & good manners in the solitude of the countryside. Illustrated with 15 woodcuts in the text showing garden plans, and one woodcut fold-out plate. A fine copy in a modern pastiche binding, in imitation of a 16th-century binding, very well executed. It comes from the library of the Carmes-Billettes convent in Paris, with a handwritten bookplate repeated several times in the copy. Angular loss on folio NN1, without affecting the text. Small, light spotting at the bottom inside corner of the first 160 leaves. Provenance: Carmes-Billettes, with handwritten bookplate. - Le Bois Channel" signature at top of title.