CHAPTER II. 



CHANGES AND PROGRESS OF AGRICULTURE 

 IN RECENT YEARS. 



BEFORE entering on a more detailed description The most 



striking 



of the principles which regulate the agriculture features of 



recent 



and general management of landed property in agricul- 

 tural pro- 



this country, it may be useful shortly to notice 8 ress - 

 its more recent progress, and those changes of 

 practice which science or art, or the circumstances 

 of his position in regard to competition or labour, 

 have forced on the British farmer. With a few 

 exceptions the change will be found rather in 

 the more general diffusion of a knowledge of 

 good principles and practice than in any con- 

 siderable advance upon either. 



The most striking feature of agricultural The reap- 

 ing and 

 progress within the last twenty years has been mowing 



machines. 



the general introduction of reaping-machines, 



