Agriculture Flashcards
For specialised farming, which regions were better suited to what types of farming?
- As transport improved, farmers could concentrate on producing products better suited to their local conditions
- The warmer, drier south east was better suited to arable farming (cultivating crops) and produced wheat, oats, hemp and hops, Wiltshire and Somerset produced dairy products such as milk and cheese
whereas the geography of the north west made it better to pastoral farming (producing livestock) as much of the terrain was rugged, hilly with higher levels of rain
In the midlands, damp, heavy soil with some fertile panes meant it produced cattle, sheep and some crops
Who did specialised farming benefit? & Who had mixed luck with it?
Specialised farming help to improve the economic conditions for many farmers, especially yeomanry, they owned a large amount of land and were generally sheltered from the possibility of poor harvests — therefore able to experiment with new techniques and crops
Husbandmen had mixed experiences — farmed land that was less than 40 acres, if they shrewd enough to farm produce that was in demand and suited local conditions, then they could dedicate their entire farm to one product. However, they were less able to exploit such opportunities as they often produced too little to make substantial profit
Why were traditional markets no longer fit for purpose?
Gradual growth of population in towns resulted in an increased demand for food, traditional markets that had been established and regulated by the government were no longer fit for purpose
How was the demand for food evident in London?
Shipments of grain brought into London via the Thames increased from 500,000 quarters in 1605 to 1,150,000 quarters in 1661
What had to happen for markets to develop?
Transport infrastructure needed to improve — Turnpike act 1663 allowed for creation of brand new toll roads opened by merchants and business men. The toll paid by travellers on these roads helped to pay for their upkeep and were valuable in connection major market towns
What development was important for communication?
The development of the stage coach was also important for communication, first stage coaches from London to Bristol and Bath appeared in 1657
When was the first road atlas published?
Published and produced by John Ogibly in 1675, the 300 page book covered all of England & Wales , which mapped more than 7,500 miles of old, well regarded for its accuracy and became essential reading for merchants by the end of the century
How was water transport crucial for national markets?
Many rivers were not navigable for their entire length, coal was transported from Newcastle to London via the east coast and Charles I ensured that the Royal Navy was able to protect ships following this route
How did water meadows work?
Another improvement in agricultural practice was water meadows — worked by diverting water from a nearby river or stream to a field
This diversion was regulated by a network of gates and dams — aim of the water meadow was to provide soil that was damp, reducing the chances of frost in early spring and by early summer they would be moved on to ordinary pasture, leaving grass to grow and hay to be harvested
This ensured animals were well fed throughout the next winter
How did water meadows help maintain working and non working animals?
The numbers of working animals increased, estimated that around 630,000 horses were used on farms in 1700 compared to 300,000 a hundred years before
Horses were quicker and often lived longer
Non working animals also increased and enclosure also meant that individual breeds of sheep of cattle could be kept together in single enclosures — breeds which produced the most wool could now be selectively bred for the cloth industry
What was the primary goal of the Enclosure movement?
The goal was to consolidate open fields and common land into larger, privately owned plots to improve agricultural efficiency and increase production
How did Enclosure contribute to increased agricultural productivity?
Larger, enclosed fields allowed for better crop management, reduced duplication, improved livestock grazing, and encouraged investment in new farming techniques
What impact did Enclosure have on livestock farming?
It allowed selective breeding of livestock in controlled environments, leading to improved wool production and healthier animals for labour and food
How did Enclosure agreements vary across England?
Some enclosures were done legally through parliamentary acts, while others were informal agreements among landowners, leading to disputes
How did Enclosure affect employment in agriculture?
Large landowners employed more wage-dependent laborers, but many small farmers lost their livelihoods, increasing rural unemployment
What was the impact of the Settlement Act (1662) on agricultural employment?
It allowed landowners to hire workers from other parishes without being responsible for their welfare, increasing seasonal and migrant labour
How many agricultural laborers were employed by 1688? And by the end of the period?
Approximately 364,000 laborers, meaning over one million people relied on agricultural work for their livelihood in 1688
240,000 were employed in skilled trades by the end of the period
How did wealthy landowners invest in agricultural expansion? (Growth of employment)
They bought land from smaller farmers, enclosed fields, and introduced modern farming techniques to maximize production
What was the role of tenant farmers in capital investment?
Large landowners rented out land to tenant farmers, who were expected to modernize and increase productivity using loans from landlords
How did capital investment transform farming in the South Midlands?
By 1700, 53.6% of land was part of large estates (compared to 32.3% in 1600), showing increasing dominance of large-scale agriculture
What were the benefits of capital investment in agriculture?
Increased funding allowed for crop rotation, improved irrigation, and new machinery, leading to higher efficiency and profitability
What were the risks for tenant farmers under capital investment?
Many fell into debt because they were required to maintain rented land and implement improvements at their own expense
How did capital investment affect national markets?
Landowners used profits to expand production, selling excess goods in national markets rather than just local ones
