What was the British Agricultural Revolution and when did it occur?
The British Agricultural Revolution, also known as the Second Agricultural Revolution, was an unprecedented increase in agricultural production arising from increases in labour and land productivity between the mid-17th and late 19th centuries. This period saw agricultural output grow faster than the population over the hundred-year period ending in 1770.
How did the Norfolk four-course rotation improve soil fertility during the British Agricultural Revolution?
The development of the Norfolk four-course rotation greatly increased crop and livestock yields by improving soil fertility and reducing fallow time through a specific sequence of planting wheat, barley, turnips and clover. Turnips first appeared in probate records in England as early as 1638 but were not widely used until about 1750, while fallow land declined to reach only about 4% in 1900.
When was Joseph Foljambe's cast iron plough patented and how did it change farming practices?
Joseph Foljambe patented his cast iron plough on the 2nd of May 1730, combining an earlier Dutch design with innovations that made it easier to pull and more controllable than previous ploughs. By 1770 it became the cheapest and best plough available, spreading to Scotland, America, and France from a factory outside Rotherham where he produced large numbers using standard patterns with interchangeable parts.
What role did enclosure acts play in the British Agricultural Revolution between the 16th and 17th centuries?
Many enclosures were accomplished by acts of Parliament in the 16th and 17th centuries, accelerating the process of enclosing property during the 15th and 16th centuries to allow owners to make innovations that improved yields. The more productive enclosed farms meant fewer farmers were needed to work the same land, leaving many villagers without land and grazing rights who moved to cities for work in emerging factories.
How did Robert Bakewell's selective breeding programs affect livestock weights and milk production by 1800?
Robert Bakewell systematised selective breeding to reinforce desirable traits, creating breeds like the Dishley Leicester sheep and Dishley Longhorn cattle which increased dramatically in size and quality. By 1800 the average milk cow produced 566 gallons annually compared to 100 gallons in 1300, while bull slaughter weights rose significantly over the intervening century.