HILL, Thomas (c.1528-?). The Profitable Arte of Gardening, now the thirde time sett forth: to which is added much necessary matter, and a number of secretes. [And:] A profitable instruction of the perfite ordering of bees, with the marvellous nature, propertie, and government of them. London: Robert Walde-grave, 1586.

The first popular English gardening and apiculture book. Hill's book draws together many sources going back to antiquity on the pleasures and profits of gardening; first published in 1568, it went through many editions. The contents address everything from garden design and grafting techniques to the medicinal uses and other "secrets" of various plants; the second part discusses bees and honey. This copy has some marginal comments relating to astrology. STC (2nd ed.), 13495.

Quarto (190 x 140mm). Two title pages, each with woodcut vignettes, woodcut illustrations in first work; woodcut initials and ornaments (lacking leaf Ii1; a little dustsoiled and stained, dampstaining in second part). Early vellum wrapper with remains of ties (quite soiled and shrunken, portion of spine panel lacking, flyleaves quite chipped). Provenance: Thomas Lewteno? (signature on title) – Elizabeth Allford (signature on title).