ONE CRITERION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF TATTON GARDEN SOCIETY involves continuing education in all aspects of horticulture. To this end its Library of some 450 books contains titles covering the history, design and construction of gardens in Britain and abroad, cultivation and propagation of plants, detailed monographs on specific genera, botanical art, the science of botany, terminology and systematic nomenclature, pests and diseases, and a variety of other topics.
Following the acquisition of The Quinta Arboretum by the Society in 2003, the Library’s holding of works on trees has been strengthened and new books dealing with arboriculture, broad leaved trees, conifers, pruning, and the nature and function of soils have been added. The content of these volumes is, of course more widely relevant.
Several of the books in the Library have been donated by Members. Ongoing contributions are welcomed.
Members of the Society are entitled to borrow books from the Library, with the exception of certain works of reference. The Library is housed in the Society’s office in Goostrey. Borrowers are responsible for informing the Honorary Librarian when books are taken from the Library, and should provide the following information: book number (on the bookplate), classification number (on the spine), title, author, date borrowed, their name, membership number, and contact telephone number. Personal visits to examine books are always helpful.
Following the acquisition of The Quinta Arboretum by the Society in 2003, the Library’s holding of works on trees has been strengthened and new books dealing with arboriculture, broad leaved trees, conifers, pruning, and the nature and function of soils have been added. The content of these volumes is, of course more widely relevant.
Several of the books in the Library have been donated by Members. Ongoing contributions are welcomed.
Members of the Society are entitled to borrow books from the Library, with the exception of certain works of reference. The Library is housed in the Society’s office in Goostrey. Borrowers are responsible for informing the Honorary Librarian when books are taken from the Library, and should provide the following information: book number (on the bookplate), classification number (on the spine), title, author, date borrowed, their name, membership number, and contact telephone number. Personal visits to examine books are always helpful.
The titles of the books in the Library are listed alphabetically
More detailed lists are held on the Society’s computer and on that of the Honorary Librarian. These lists are searchable by book number, book classification, title and author. Book numbers are sequential, and largely reflect the date of acquisition. Classification is according to the Society’s own alphanumeric system, and covers 22 general topics, each subdivided. Titles can be grouped in to common sections, for example ‘garden’, ‘gardener’, ‘gardening’, ‘gardens’, in alphabetical order, followed by the remainder of the definitive title. Lists of authors can be grouped in similar fashion.
The Society also owns three manuscript volumes by Thomas Edgerley, Head Gardener at Tatton Park in the early 19th century. Two of them, dated 1820 and 1821 and entitled Icones Plantarum, catalogue 192 plants, each illustrated in colour. The third volume, with references dated 1838, describes and illustrates camellias and orchids, and contains handwriting which is not Edgerley’s. Because of the age and value of these books, they are on loan to the Lindley Library of The Royal Horticultural Society in London. Members may view them by appointment. For a more detailed account of these books, see TGS Review, Autumn 2003.
The Society also owns three manuscript volumes by Thomas Edgerley, Head Gardener at Tatton Park in the early 19th century. Two of them, dated 1820 and 1821 and entitled Icones Plantarum, catalogue 192 plants, each illustrated in colour. The third volume, with references dated 1838, describes and illustrates camellias and orchids, and contains handwriting which is not Edgerley’s. Because of the age and value of these books, they are on loan to the Lindley Library of The Royal Horticultural Society in London. Members may view them by appointment. For a more detailed account of these books, see TGS Review, Autumn 2003.
The Library