Rustic Adornments for Homes of Taste: And Recreations for Town Folk, in the Study and Imitation of Nature (Cambridge Library Collection - Botany and Hortic

James Shirley Hibberd (1825-90) was a journalist and horticultural writer who worked as a bookseller before devoting his time to researching and lecturing and publishing on gardening. An active member of the Royal Horticultural Society, he edited several gardening magazines including Floral World, and his writing was widely enjoyed and respected. This book, first published in 1856, is Hibberd's carefully researched and practical guide to decorating the home and garden. Hibberd explains the practical aspects of garden design, the pleasures of bee-keeping, and how to construct a pond or aquarium. Full of useful advice on everything from preserving cut flowers to the ideal species of bird to keep in an aviary, this is a charming and enjoyable manual for the Victorian gardener which was very popular in its time, and remains a useful source for the cultural historian as well as an entertaining treat for the general reader.

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Published: United Kingdom, 1 March 2011

Format: Paperback / softback, 372 pages

Other Information: 7 Plates, color; 1 Plates, black and white; 61 Halftones, unspecified

Dimensions: 21.6 x 14 x 2.1 centimeters (0.38 kg)

Writer: Hibberd, Shirley

Table of ContentsPreface; The Aquarium: 1. Its uses and fitness as an ornament; 2. Construction and furnishing of aquaria; 3. Collecting specimens for stock; 4. Notices of the creatures which inhabit the marine tank; 5. Notices of sea-weeds; 6. General management of marine aquaria; The Fresh-Water Aquarium; The Garden Aquarium; The Wardian Case; Miscellaneous Ornaments for Dwelling-Rooms: Vases for cut flowers; Fancy pots; Miniature pots; Illuminated trees; The Aviary, or Bird-House: 1. Construction of a bird-room. Account of the birds which are usually kept in aviaries; 2. General management of aviary and cage birds; The Apiary, or Bee-House: 1. Pleasures and advantages of bee-keeping. Consideration of the possibility of keeping bees in town; 2. A brief account of the honey-bee and its general management; 3. Bee-hives and bee-houses; 4. A code of bee management on humane principles; The rockery - situation, construction, planting, and management of alpines; The fernery - formation, stocking, and general management; Garden scenery and ornaments - summer-houses, arbours, decoration of gardens, rocks, banks, and ferneries, rustic seats, root ornaments, Chinese and Italian ornaments, garden-vases, flower-stands, rustic baskets, etc., etc.

Promotional InformationAn informative guide to all aspects of home and garden decoration, including ponds and aviaries, first published in 1856.