
audiobook
A comprehensive handbook for the lady of a country estate, this work gathers the essentials of running a household and farm throughout the whole year. It walks the reader through the rhythm of each season, from arranging the brew‑house and cellar to planning the dairy, garden, and pantry. The guidance is practical, detailing everything from butter‑making on poor soils to the proper storage of fish, fowl, and herbs.
The text reads like a culinary encyclopedia of its age, offering recipes and techniques for a remarkable variety of foods and drinks. Readers will find step‑by‑step instructions for brewing malt liquors, distilling spirits, crafting wines, and even the art of drying saffron. Equally thorough are the sections on preserving vegetables, pickling fruits, preparing sauces such as ketchup, and creating meat dishes like brawn and fricassee.
Compiled by a respected Cambridge botanist, the book blends scientific observation with household wisdom, making it a valuable resource for anyone curious about historic food preparation, farm management, and the day‑to‑day responsibilities of an 18th‑century country housewife.
Language
en
Duration
~8 hours (479K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-01-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1688–1732
An energetic early English botanist and garden writer, he helped turn practical gardening into a subject of wide public interest. His books ranged from fruit trees and kitchen gardens to plant life from around the world, reflecting the curiosity of the early Enlightenment.
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