ENCLOSUEES 25 



process of enclosure consisted of the consolidation of 

 the intermixed strips of open-field farms, and of divid- 

 ing the commons attached to them, as adjuncts of 

 the arable holdings. Up to the eighteenth century, 

 enclosure was possible only by private agreement, but 

 in that century a large number of Acts of Parliament 

 were passed sanctioning enclosures and appointing 

 commissioners to do the work. The effect of these 

 Acts was to completely change the face of the country. 

 The work went on apace through the eighteenth 

 century and was practically complete at an early 

 period of the nineteenth century. As a result of these 

 operations the land was thrown into the hands of 

 large landlords, and substantial yeomen, and much 

 capital and intelligence were attracted to its improve- 

 ment. Fields were fenced and drained, buildings 

 erected and trees planted. The general introduction 

 of root crops, clover and artificial grasses made 

 scientific feeding possible, and immense care was 

 lavished on the breeding of stock of all kinds, which 

 were improved out of all recognition. The existence 

 of cheap iron and steel, also, permitted great improve- 

 ments in all kinds of agricultural implements. In all 

 such matters the larger land-owners took the lead. 

 Agricultural development became the fashion with all 

 from the King downwards, and the small farmers 

 followed suit. It is recorded that Coke of Norfolk 

 showed how ploughing could be done at half the cost 

 with an improved plough, but it took twenty years for 

 any of his neighbours to follow his example. Jethro 



