TURNIP TOWNSHEND AND THE NORFOLK SYSTEM 41 



tural progress of the ^e jifciir^, which is com prised in im - 

 proved raethods^ofjcijMYationjjthe , r^^ stock? 



"^reeding to a scien cej the enclosure of common field farms, 

 the reclamation of commons and wastes, increased facilities 

 of communication and transport, the invention of new 

 implements, the application of new manures, the enterprise 

 of capitalist landlords, the diffusion of intelligence among 

 farmers. Within the period in question a class grew up 

 which earned high wages and could afford to. purchase farm 

 produce. But for this wage-earning artisan class, agricul- 

 turists would have remained content to satisfy iheir own 

 wants. The ci'isis at home and abroad gives peculiar 

 interest to the advance of agriculture. England was 

 sharing in that industrial movement which culminated 

 politically in the rise of the new republic of America and 

 the downfall of the ancient monarchy of France. It is 

 more exciting to watch the political earthquake on the 

 Continent ; but it is more satisfactory to trace the peaceful 

 operations of nature by which the face of society was 

 changed in England. To measure the influence of agricul- 

 ture upon the two movements is impossible ; but here, at 

 least till the close of the century, there was no gap between 

 it and the general advance of industry. 



After the English revolution a new stimulus had been 

 given to arable farming. The exportation of British wool 

 was forbidden, and home manufacturers could not take up the 

 supply. At the same time duties were laid on foreign wheat, 

 and bounties were offered for the export of corn.' Farmers 



' Bounties on exports : — 



1. From 1697 to 1706, 1,668,904 quarters of wheat, barley, oatmeal, 

 malt, and rye were exported, which were valued at 1,874,994Z. 10s. &d. 



2. From 1706 to 1726, 8,134,196 quarters were exported, valued at 

 8,429,704Z. 14s. 



3. From 1726 to 1746, 9,488,703 quarters were exported, valued at 

 10,080,224^^. 7s. M. [In 



