ABSTRACT: French manuscript on the pruning of fruit trees, 1827.
SCOPE: This manuscript, written in an 1820s blank book in St. Louis, contains a transcribed section from an earlier gardening publication, La Nouvelle Maison Rustique. The text includes instructions on the pruning and general care of different types of fruit trees and incorporates several manuscript illustrations. A label from the Essex & Houghan Booksellers and Stationers, dated “1 Janvier 1827” by the author, is affixed to the inside front cover. The manuscript is a significant example of Francophone culture and early horticultural pursuits in the St. Louis area.
EXTENT: Approximately 171 pages.
HISTORY: The Essex & Houghan firm was active in St. Louis in 1826 and 1827, only a decade after James Hart Stark established the first nursery business in Missouri. A previous custodian of this manuscript also suggested a connection to C.S. Rafinesque, a notable French-American naturalist of the time, though this has not been proven.
ACCESS: This collection can be viewed on-site in the Rare Book and Manuscripts Reading Room. Some of the material may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, subject to condition and other access restrictions. Information on conducting research with the archival collections of the Library, including current building hours and reading room policies, can be found on our Research page. The St. Louis Mercantile Library is located on levels one and two of the Thomas Jefferson Library building on the University of Missouri-St. Louis’ north campus.
PREFERRED CITATION: The preferred citation for this collection is “From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri – St. Louis."
