The Development of British Agriculture 19 



An old rhyme runs: 



Hops, Reformation, Bays, and Beer, 

 Came into England all in one year.. 



This puts the changes rather crudely, but there is a 

 good deal of truth in the statement that the Reforma- 

 tion was associated with much that was new in agri- 

 culture. Hops were brought in and cultivated early in 

 the sixteenth century ; hemp and flax were then common 

 crops ; hedges were becoming general in Scotland and 

 Ireland ; and potatoes were introduced into England 

 in 1586. In farming, men were finding the value of 

 manuring the soil; and sand, lime, seaweed, and the 

 sweepings of the London streets were all used for this 

 purpose. 



In the seventeenth century further progress was 

 made in the agricultural industry. Farmers then 

 began to use horses more and oxen less for ploughing. 

 Iron had become cheaper, and, as a result, agricultural 

 implements were better. The union of England and 

 Scotland led to an increase of population, and a demand 

 for better food. Yet in many ways there was much 

 to do so that our country might be better cultivated 

 and produce more food. A good deal of land still 

 remained either forest, moor, or undrained marsh ; 

 and as yet there were no root crops for the winter 

 feeding of the cattle. 



Milton in U Allegro gives us a charming glimpse of 

 rural life in his time, as the following extracts will show : 



Some time walking, not unseen, 

 By hedge-row elms, on hillocks green, 

 Right against the eastern gate 

 Where the great sun begins his state, 

 Robed in flames and amber light. 

 The clouds in thousand liveries dight. 



2- -2 



