History of Agricultural Rent in England 29 



Towards the end of the century another 

 great movement began for the enclosure of 

 the open or common land that still survived 

 in large quantities in some parts of the 

 country. The main object of the enclosures 

 at this time was to allow of the adoption 

 of the new methods. In the open fields, 

 with the traditional simple cultivation, any 

 improvement was impossible. There is no 

 doubt that in the process of these enclosures 

 the small farmers and proprietors suffered. 

 In the redistribution and the enclosing of 

 the land, heavy legal expenses were 

 involved, beginning with the necessary Act 

 of Parliament, and these expenses were 

 proportionately heavier to the smaller 

 people, and many were obliged to sell 

 their land, and if tenants, their holdings 

 were consolidated. The small people also 

 lost, as regards the various rights of common 

 that still survived. 



