​”Commercial Botany of the Nineteenth Century” by John R. Jackson, first published in 1890, offers a comprehensive exploration of the significant role plants played in Britain’s economic expansion during the 19th century. The book examines how advancements in transportation and colonial expansion facilitated the introduction and cultivation of various commercial plants both domestically and in British colonies. Jackson provides detailed descriptions of these plants, accompanied by instructive illustrations, and organizes the content into chapters based on their applications in food, beverages, medicine, and the building trade. ​

The work highlights several plant species that became central to rapidly growing markets, such as palm oil, sugar cane, and cotton. Jackson emphasizes how these plants revolutionized industries and contributed to the economic prosperity of the British Empire. The book also includes a chronological table of the century’s most important developments in commercial botany, providing readers with a historical context for the advancements discussed. ​

Through this detailed survey, Jackson underscores the transformative impact of economic botany on global trade and industry during the 19th century. “Commercial Botany of the Nineteenth Century” serves as a valuable resource for understanding the intersection of botany and commerce, shedding light on how the exploitation of plant resources shaped the modern world.