1.

The Agrarian Revolution in Britain

This refers to the period in British history beginning in the mid 18th century and going into the
19th century, characterized by gradual but significant changes that occurred in agricultural
practises. The main characteristics of this revolution involved the enclosure of lands (enclosure
movement), improvements in farming methods, selective breeding, introduction of new crops
and the introduction of new technologies.

Key Concepts

1. Selective Breeding – This is the process of selecting the ‘best’ animals to breed, in order
to produce the best offspring.

2. Crop Rotation – This is the process of growing a variety or series of different types crops
in the same area in sequential seasons to help restore the plants’ nutrients. This will
mitigate the build-up of pests that often occurs when one plant species is continuously
cropped.

3. Enclosure System – This system allowed the farmers to have greater control of the
farms/lands by securing it with fences or hedges.

4. Open Field System – This was a system at agriculture widely practiced in Medieval
Europe, based on dividing the arable land into half. The first (1st) half was cultivated and
the other half unplanted. This was done to conserve the nutrients in the soil. The
unplanted section was left ‘fallow’. This practice drastically reduced crop production.

5. The Enclosure Acts – In the 1700’s, the British Parliament passed legislations (laws)
which allow common areas to become privately owned. Land that was formerly owned
in common by ALL members of the village (peasants) were bought out by the wealthy
farmers or Lords. Buying lage sections of lands was done to create larger and more
complex farms. Thus more production – more money!

Farming/ Agriculture in Britain before the Agrarian Revolution

During the Middle Ages and up until the Agrarian Revolution, communities had “common land”
that was used by all of the peasants to farm and hunt on. About 80% of Europe’s population
lived off agriculture. Farmers used the ‘open field system’. Open fields were farmed communally
where people would work together to produce crops but sometimes crops would fail or not
produce good yield and they would fall into famine.
Under this system farms had no fence or drainage. Animals could trample crops and spread
diseases. Additionally bad weed could spread to a neighbour’s strip and destroy crops. Also
under this system crops used a lot of nutrients, farmers therefore, practiced the ‘three field crop
rotation system’ where a different crop was planted on each of two fields, for example wheat and
barley and third field was left fallow or empty. This was done in attempt to replenish the soil’s
nutrients however, it was deemed as waste full as enough crops were not being produced
especially since a third of the field was left empty.

The use of simple tools and manual labour was also a common practice.
 Causes/ Changes that led to the Agrarian Revolution

Population Explosion
The main cause of change seems to have been the rapidly growing population (from around 6
million in 1700 to 11 million in 1801), particularly in the towns, which created an increased
demand for food. This was particularly important during the Napoleonic Wars (1803 – 1814),
since Napoleon's Continental System prevented all trade with Europe; Britain had to produce
more food, or starve.
The Enclosure movement
Wealthy men began buying up the strips of land, creating large farmlands and enclosing them
with hedges. This brought changes to farming and rural areas. Small farmers were bought out or
forced off their land by the new men. Few small farmers could afford new lands because land
prices rose. In some cases, whole villages were bought by landowners seeking new lands. As a
result, rural life changed significantly.
Improvement in farming methods
(a) The ‘four-course crop rotation method’ (also known as
the Norfolk crop rotation system), replaced the ‘three field
system’ of planting. The old three field system employed a
three year crop rotation, with a different crop in each of two
fields, for example, wheat and barley, with the third field being
fallowed (rested or unused). This meant that a plot of land was
not in active use, reducing productivity. The four course crop
rotation system was designed to ensure that no land was left
fallow during periods of cultivation, since crops were being
rotated in the fields, ensuring that different kinds and quantities of nutrients were being absorbed
from and being put back into the soil. Wheat, barley, red clover and turnip were the crops grown
in this system. This system was popularized by enlightened landowners such as Viscount Charles
‘Turnip’ Townshend and Thomas Coke.

Turnips Barley Red Clover Wheat

Each area of land was split into four sections. The crop that was grown on each field was rotated
so that different nutrients were taken from the land.
First year: turnips or another root crop was grown.
Second year: barley was grown in the field (barley could be sold at a profit).
Third year: clover or a grass crop was grown.
Fourth year: wheat was grown in the field (wheat could also be sold for a profit).

(b)Manure
Over the years farmers discovered that the animal manure possessed certain nutrients that were
beneficial to soil fertilization. As a consequence farmers began to collect animal manure in
special receptacles and spread it over their crop land. This enriched the soil and significantly
increased crop yields. As a natural fertilizer, it has no real adverse side effects.
(c)Selective breeding

Robert Bakewell and Thomas Coke introduced selective breeding and inbreeding as ways of
improving the genetic quality of their livestock. Selective breeding involved the mating of two
animals with the particularly desirable traits or qualities the farmer wanted. Inbreeding involved
the mating of close relatives (father and daughter, mother and son, brother and sister), in order to
stabilize the qualities sought after. Robert Bakewell was particularly successful in this regard
with crossbreeding the Lincoln and Longhorn sheep, to produce the new Dishley Leicester
variety. His work resulted in a great reduction in the age at which sheep were ready for the
butcher. Other successful breeders included Charles and Robert Colling of County Durham
(Durham Shorthorn cattle) and George Culley of Northumberland (Border Leicester sheep).
These methods proved quite successful in developing the production of larger and more
profitable livestock.

Robert Bakewell Charles and Robert Colling

Dishley Leicester sheep Border Leicester sheep

Introduction of new crops

The introduction of new crops such as potatoes, red clovers and turnips into Britain in the 17 th
century, dramatically improved farming practises. Farmers were
able to use these new crops as animal fodder (food) to feed
their livestock during the winter months, as they could be stored
for a long while without spoiling. This meant that it was no longer
necessary to slaughter the animals in the autumn months, so that
the meat could be salted for the winter storage. Thus fresh meat
was now available during winter and spring. It also meant livestock farmers could enjoy better
prices and healthier livestock.
The use of new crops also had other benefits. For instance, when red clover was planted, it
actually returned certain nutrients to the soil. Thus it was a revitalizing source for a variety of
soils. Turnips also proved very beneficial since they facilitated easy hoeing of the soil. This
allowed for better weeding and aeration of the soil.

Introduction of new technologies

(a) In 1701 Jethro Tull invented a seed drill. This device distributed the seeds more efficiently
across a plot of land. The seed drill facilitated more effective crop cultivation, since it promoted
better spacing among seedlings.
(b) In 1730 the Rotherham plough was invented by Joseph Foljambe. While not the first iron
plough, it was the first iron plough to have any commercial success, combining a number of
technological innovations in its design, and being lighter than traditional ploughs. It remained in
use in Britain until the development of the tractor.

(c) The Rotherham plough was further improved upon in 1763. In that year, James Small
invented the Scots plough. This plough used an improved cast iron share to turn the soil more
effectively and with less strain on the ploughing team.

Jethro Tull Seed drill Rotherham plough Scots plough

Effects of the Agrarian Revolution

Increased Agricultural Output/Production

It is estimated that total agricultural output grew 2.7-fold between 1700 and 1870 and output per
worker at a similar rate. The Agricultural Revolution gave Britain the most productive
agriculture in Europe, with 19th-century yields as much as 80% higher than the Continental
average.

Population Growth
The increase in the food supply contributed to the rapid growth of population in England and
Wales, from 5.5 million in 1700 to over 9 million by 1801, although domestic production gave
way increasingly to food imports in the 19th century as population more than tripled to over 32
million.

Increased Unemployment
Small farmers and peasants were bought out or forced off their lands by wealthy land owners
under the enclosure movement and this left many peasants homeless and unemployed. Some
later became hired workers while many migrated to the towns to work in the new factories or to
open their own small shops or businesses. However, mass rural flight did not take place until the
Industrial Revolution was already underway.

Overcrowding in Towns
Towns and cities became over crowded as rural peasants migrated to the urban areas to find jobs.
This also led to further problems in the towns such as poor sanitation, pollution, the spread of
diseases and low wages for factory workers.

Increased Sale of Produce

With improved farming methods and the introduction of new crops enough crops were being
produced and family consumption as well as sold nationally and internationally thereby
increasing the wealth of many large farm owners.

Increased use of machinery made farm work easier and more efficient. However, it forced many,
especially women out of jabs and as such many went into cottage industry while others became
domestic servants and many were forced into prostitution.