HOOPER, E(dward). J(ames).   HOOPER'S WESTERN FRUIT BOOK:   A Compendious Collection Of Facts, From The Notes And Experience Of Successful Fruit Culturists, Arranged For Practical Use In The Orchard And Garden.       Cincinnati: Moore, Wilstach, Keys & Co.,   1857.          First edition. "In all parts of the West, in the middle of the nineteenth century, what was written in Hooper was the final word." (-Hedrick, A HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE IN AMERICA, pg. 493). The bulk of the text is devoted to detailed descriptions and evaluations of proven varieties in most categories of fruit, from apples to gooseberries. Nearly two-thirds of the entries are for apples or pears. Hooper's particular intention was to rely on "the authentic experience of actual cultivators," to produce a list focused on proven varieties "unincumbered with useless descriptions of worthless varieties." Particular emphasis is placed on the experience of growers in the "Middle and North-Western" states. Hooper was himself an experienced grower, but had also previously served as editor of the "Western Farmer and Gardener," putting him in regular contact with a wide variety of western growers. He was also an influential member of the important circle of horticulturists forming the Cincinnati Horticultural Society (many of whom are pictured in the group portrait which serves as a frontispiece). The volume is illustrated with four color plates signed by "Middleton, Wallace & Co,, Cin. O.", and with plans for a summer fruit house prepared by John C. Schooley.   8vo (19 x 12.5 cm); 4 ff. + x + (11)-333 pp. (+ 3 pp. ads) with six woodcut illustrations (summer fruit house) + lithographed frontispiece and 4 colored lithographed plates.            Original embossed cloth; lightly worn at extremities; spine dull; sporadic foxing. $300.00

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