AITON, William (1766-1849)
Sketch of the VIII Chapter of the General Report on the Agricultural State of Scotland, on the Subject of Grass Lands. Drawn up for the consideration of the Board of Agriculture
Glasgow: A. Napier, 1812. Octavo. (8 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches). 112pp. Early owner's manuscript annotations.
Later russet cloth.
Provenance: Rothamsted Laboratory (gilt inked stamp on upper cover)
A detailed discussion on the state of agriculture in Scotland.
William Townsend Aiton was a Scottish botanist, the eldest son of botanist and gardener William Aiton, who worked at the Chelsea Physic Garden and Kew Royal Botanical Gardens. Aiton succeeded his father at Kew in 1793 and went on to work at Richmond Gardens, the royal gardens at Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace and at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton. He also was one of the founders of the Royal Horticultural Society. In this work, Aiton discusses the state of agricultural improvements in Scotland, particularly in the area of the grasslands, which he considers to be "comparatively...neglected." He expands on the origin, uses, and condition of meadows and pastures, the types of grasses found there, and how they can be improved, such as irrigating them and covering them in manure to enrich the soil.