Quarto. [8],160pp, [16]. Contemporary vellum, title in manuscript to spine. Extremities lightly marked and discoloured, later paper labels to foot of spine. Ink-stamp of the Lawes Agricultural Library to FEP and REP.

A crisp copy of a mid-seventeenth century edition of the statutes and laws of the Roman city guild of agricultural workers, published by Giorgio Ferrari for the Roman Papal Press. Part of the comprehensive reforms and publication of decrees and statutes issued in the wake of Michele Ghislieri’s, election as Pope Pius V in 1566, this volume outlines an extensive reorganisation of the agricultural industry, including measures relating to the sale and distribution of vegetables and live-stock (including pricing), regulations regarding the division of land, the rates of pay for farm workers and numerous public health measures relating to hygiene. Numerous revised editions were issued up to the mid-nineteenth century.