1686 - Sprengel, C.

Sprengel, C. Chemistry for Farmers, Foresters, and Financial Administrators. 2 vols. Göttingen: Vandenhoeck & Ruprecht, 1831–32. XXVIII pp., 1 folio, 793; XXIV, 699 pp., 1 leaf. Contemporary half-leather binding with gilt lettering and gilt edges (some pages with slight wormholes). Ferchl 512. Humpert 2689. First edition. - “Liebig’s most important predecessor was Carl Sprengel (1787–1859). Sprengel actually already expounded on the very same theory of plant nutrition as Liebig, but his ideas found little resonance and were largely ignored” (Krzymowski, History of German Agriculture, p. 277). - He was the first “to clearly and unequivocally emphasize not only the necessity of mineral substances for plant nutrition, but also which specific minerals would be required for this purpose” (Goltz II, p. 117). Eighteen of these minerals, which are still considered essential for plants today, are listed in this first volume. — “With regard to soil analysis, he points out that one must take into account not only the topsoil but also the subsoil” (Darmstaedter 390). – The spine has small chips on the side; one cover has a wormhole; slightly foxed in places, otherwise a fine copy.