agriculture 1625-88

Why was the 17th century significant for English agriculture?

·       Agriculture became more productive and commercialised

·       New crops and techniques improved efficiency

·       Enclosure transformed land management

·       Laid foundations for the Agricultural Revolution

What new crops were introduced during the 17th century?

·       Artichokes, asparagus, clover, cabbage, turnips, potatoes

·       Potatoes introduced by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584

·       Improved soil fertility and food supply;

Why was population growth important for agricultural change?

·       Increased demand for reliable harvests and food production

·       Encouraged specialised farming and experimentation

·       Working days rose from 266 (1450) → 405 (1700)

What was enclosure?

·       Common land converted into privately owned fields

·       Created larger, more organised farms

·       Increased efficiency and profitability

Why was enclosure the most important agricultural development?

·       Encouraged commercial farming and investment

·       Reduced wasted land

·       Increased productivity

·       Essential for modern farming methods

What problems did enclosure cause?

·       Loss of grazing rights

·       Rising rents and evictions

·       Increased poverty and homelessness

·       Decline of smallholders

What new farming techniques developed during the 17th century?

·       Crop rotation

·       Water meadows

·       Drainage systems

·       Fertilisers and manure

·       Better field organisation

Why was crop rotation significant?

·       Reduced fallow land

·       Improved soil fertility

·       Increased agricultural yields and efficiency

What evidence shows agricultural production increased?

·       Arable land rose from 7 million acres (1420) → 9 million acres (1700)

·       More land cultivated

·       Less land left fallow

Why was Walter Blith significant?

·       Published agricultural works in 1654

·       Promoted experimentation and improved farming methods

How did agriculture become more commercialised during 1625–88?

·       Farming increasingly focused on profit rather than subsistence

·       Market gardening and specialised farming expanded

·       National food markets developed

What social changes resulted from agricultural developments?

·       Increase in tenant farmers and landless labourers

·       Decline of smallholders

·       Loss of common land rights

·       Greater regional specialisation

To what extent was agriculture transformed during 1625–88?

·       Agriculture became significantly more productive and commercialised

·       Enclosure and new techniques modernised farming

·       HOWEVER change remained gradual rather than complete by 1688