
audiobook
by P. L. (Peter Lund) Simmonds
This handbook offers a sweeping overview of the many substances drawn from trees and plants that fuel commerce and craft in tropical and subtropical lands. It walks readers through the origins of familiar items—such as oils, fibers, gums, and spices—and explains how each ties into everyday manufacturing, from textiles to medicines. Designed for colonists, merchants, and producers alike, the text blends scientific observation with clear, step‑by‑step instructions.
In addition to botanical descriptions, the volume details practical methods for growing, harvesting, and preparing these products for market. Readers will find guidance on everything from soil preparation to drying techniques, shipping considerations, and ways to assess commercial value. Whether you are managing a plantation or simply curious about the economic role of nature’s bounty, the work serves as an essential reference for navigating the vegetable kingdom’s trade.
Full title
The Commercial Products of the Vegetable Kingdom Considered in Their Various Uses to Man and in Their Relation to the Arts and Manufactures; Forming a Practical Treatise & Handbook of Reference for the Colonist, Manufacturer, Merchant, and Consumer, on the Cultivation, Preparation for Shipment, and Commercial Value, &c. of the Various Substances Obtained From Trees and Plants, Entering into the Husbandry of Tropical and Sub-tropical Regions, &c.
Language
en
Duration
~36 hours (2075K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Olaf Voss, Stephen Schulze and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team.
Release date
2005-02-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1814–1897
A Danish-born English journalist and prolific nonfiction writer, he turned Victorian curiosity into lively books about food, trade, plants, and the wider world. His work blends reporting, science, and a collector’s eye for strange and memorable detail.
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