Changes to Farming Techniques

new crops introduced, including asparagus, artichokes, clover

improvement in soil, fertility, but more limited impact on diet

population growth required secure harvests

by 1640s, Britain had exceeded all other European countries in production

1450: 266 working days per agricultural family per year

1700: 405 working days per agricultural family per year

Changes to Agricultural Techniques

Enclosure

the conversion of common land into private land both physically and legally

Aims of Technique:

• greater agricultural production

• larger profit for land owners

impact:

• helped feed a growing population

• encouraged farming as a business rather than subsistence

45% of England enclosed in 1500 but 70% by 1700