The Abridgement of the Gardener's Dictionary

The 1771 sixth edition of the abridged version of an influential horticultural text, ranging widely from agriculture to winemaking.

Britain's most eminent horticulturalist in the eighteenth century, Philip Miller (1691–1771) was appointed head gardener of the Chelsea Physic Garden by the Society of Apothecaries in 1722. Reissued here is the 1771 sixth edition of the abridged version of his most successful work, ranging widely from agriculture to winemaking.Trained by his father, a market gardener, Philip Miller (1691–1771) rose to become Britain's most eminent horticulturalist in the eighteenth century. Following a period as a nurseryman in Southwark, he was appointed the head gardener of the Chelsea Physic Garden by the Society of Apothecaries in 1722, upon the recommendation of Sir Hans Sloane. Under Miller's supervision, the diversity of plants at Chelsea outstripped that of all other European botanic gardens. His talent was equally reflected in his writings. Miller's most famous work, The Gardener's Dictionary, ran to eight editions during his lifetime, as did his celebrated abridgement, reissued here in its 1771 sixth edition. Ranging widely in coverage from agriculture to winemaking, as well as incorporating traditional gardening topics, the work reflects the progress of contemporary plant science and the breadth of knowledge acquired by one of its foremost practitioners.