Convertible husbandry
Convertible husbandry, also known as alternate husbandry or up-and-down husbandry, is a method of farming whereby strips of arable farmland were temporarily converted into grass pasture, known as leys. These remained under grass for up to 10 years before being ploughed under again, while some eventually became permanent pasturage.[1] It was a process used during the 16th century through the 19th century by "which a higher proportion of land was used to support increasing numbers of livestock in many parts of England."[2] Its adoption was an important component of the British Agricultural Revolution.[3]
Ley farming, a similar system of growing fodder on fallow plots of arable land, remains in use today.[4]
Description
Convertible husbandry was a process that consisted of keeping arable land fallow for long periods as
Historical context
Before the 16th and 17th centuries, most farmlands in Britain used simple alternations of tilling and fallowing during different seasons over several years, while livestock was often kept on less productive land and
Although often praised as increasing
Although debatable, many agricultural historians also believe that the introduction of convertible husbandry was brought about with the introduction of the turnip. They argue that "the lowly turnip made possible a change in crop rotation which did not require much capital, but which brought about a tremendous rise in agricultural productivity."[6] They believe that this "fodder" crop pushed agriculture in a direction in which "alternating" husbandry was seen as more efficient than traditional permanent pasture farming and jump-started the improvement of crop rotation and agricultural output versus capital. Although the turnip was popularized by Lord Townshend during the mid-18th century, the use of turnips being grown as fodder was seen as early as the 16th century.[6]
Praise
Convertible husbandry has been praised as the "best way to keep high fertility on both arable and pasture and to retain excellent soil texture and composition."[7] According to one author, the rotation it provided between pasture and arable land "not only produced the same amount of grain on a much reduced area, but broke the agrarian cycle of diminished returns by allowing more sheep and cattle to be kept, animals whose dung maintained" fertility.[2]
See also
References
- ^ "Convertible husbandry". Oxford Reference. Oxford University Press. 2019. Retrieved 27 September 2019.
- ^ The Agricultural History Review, Vol. 28, No. 2, pg 77-78, British Agricultural Society; 1980.
- ^ a b Kerridge, Eric, The Agricultural Revolution, Taylor and Francis US; 1967, pg 40. ASIN B0000CNP4H
- ^ Ikande, Mary (2018). "Ley farming advantages and disadvantages". Ask Legit. Legit (Nigeria). Retrieved 24 September 2019.
- ^ S2CID 154537143.
- ^ a b Timmer, C. Peter, "The Turnip, New Husbandry, and The English Agricultural Revolution", The Quarterly Journal of Economics, Vol. 83, No. 3 (Aug., 1969), pp. 375-395
- ^ Slicher van Bath, B.H., "Agrarian History of Western Europe", 1963, pp 249-54.