This is an early American farming textbook for readers who love practical old books with real use behind them. First Principles of Agriculture covers soil, seeds, weeds, plant diseases, livestock, and farm basics in a clear, schoolbook style that still feels surprisingly readable today.
Inside, you get black-and-white illustrations, diagrams, exercises, and feed tables, plus pencil notes from past owners that give it real lived-in character.
Quick Specs
• Item Type: Antique hardcover textbook
• Size: 7 x 5 x 0.25 in
• Material: Cloth hardcover with paper pages
• Color: Red-orange cloth boards with black title and border
• Origin or Maker: American Book Company, New York, Cincinnati, Chicago
• Year or Era: Copyright 1904
• GENRE: Agricultural Education; Farming Manual
• Language / Pages: English / 272 pages
Edition & Features
• Edition/Printing: Revised; exact printing not provided
• Dust Jacket: none
• Illustrations/Maps/Plates: Black-and-white illustrations, diagrams, livestock images, plant studies, exercises, and tables
• Extras: Handwritten pencil notes and family names on early pages
Condition Grade: Good
Positives: Complete hardcover copy with strong period cover design, intact binding, readable text block, and illustrated interior. Ownership history and pencil study notes add genuine use-worn character.
Issues / Wear: Noticeable rubbing and fading to the cloth boards, bumped and frayed corners, wear at spine ends, toned page edges, scattered marks to the cover, and many handwritten pencil notes on early pages and margins. Names visible include Marvin Schneider, Irene Schneider, and Ella Schneider. No dust jacket. See all photos for detail—sold as pictured.
Condition Grade Key
Near Fine: minimal wear; tight; clean.
Very Good: light wear; clean text; minor flaws.
Good: noticeable wear; sound reading copy; some marks.
Fair: heavy wear; complete but worn; priced accordingly.
Provenance & Notes
This copy shows the kind of real-world use that makes old schoolbooks interesting: family names, pencil reminders, and plant-related notes were written in by earlier owners. It feels like a book that was actually studied, kept, and passed along.
About the Authors
Emmet S. Goff is identified on the title page as the late Professor of Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin, and D. D. Mayne is listed as Principal of the School of Agriculture and Professor of Agricultural Pedagogics at the University of Minnesota. This is the kind of early practical text meant to teach farm basics clearly, from soil and crops to livestock and field problems.
A solid old farm book with honest wear and real working history still in it.
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Disclaimer
The vintage items I share with you have been previously owned and loved and may show some wear. Please use the pictures as a guide. While I do my best to capture colors accurately, your monitor or device screen may display colors slightly differently from the actual item.
Care & Handling: Handle with clean, dry hands. Store upright, out of direct sunlight, at about 68°F and 40–50% relative humidity. Avoid damp areas and extreme temperature swings. Please note: If you have any questions or need more photos, ask.
