What advancements or accomplishments fueled the agricultural changes in the eighteenth century, and why were they considered revolutionary?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Several factors transformed agricultural productivity in the eighteenth century, including new techniques in farming, land management, and participation in the commercial market. Beginning in the Rhineland areas and spreading into the Netherlands and England, the traditional three-field crop rotation system was ended by utilizing several new crops planted in the traditionally fallow section of land. Being able to switch between livestock and crops allowed more flexibility in farming and participation in the market. As herds got larger, they were managed to improve the quality of the herds: breed bigger cows, breed sheep with better wool, etc. These herds also refertilized the fields with manure, which recharged the lands. Land was therefore kept in continual production with the elimination of fallowing. This increased the yield to the point of surplus. Changes were also made in how land was held, either collectively or individually. Consolidation of strips for farming meant that one person holding land was not obligated to the opinions of a village council and could experiment with new crops or techniques without being overruled. This did have a detrimental effect on some farmers in England because it began the process of enclosure, eliminating collective or communal farming. For small landholders or peasants, this could result in their being downgraded to landless wage earners, or even expelled from the land altogether.