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(Working the Land) How did crop rotation change in the Agricultural revolution?

User Trashman
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Final answer:

The Agricultural revolution saw a shift from fallow land to the 3-field crop rotation system that increased soil fertility while still producing crops. The subsequent Industrial Revolution introduced machinery that changed farming from subsistence to market-oriented, allowing for single-crop large field farming.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the Agricultural revolution, the practice of crop rotation evolved significantly. Traditional methods that involved leaving land fallow to regain fertility were replaced by more intensive and productive systems. The new method involved a 3-field rotation system, which was a major innovation of the time. Instead of leaving a third of the land fallow, farmers could now use that land to grow nitrogen-fixing crops such as legumes, which would replenish soil nutrients while still yielding a harvest. Improved tools and technology enabled the cultivation of larger fields, and as a result, food production increased significantly.

With the rise of the Industrial Revolution, agriculture underwent further changes. The introduction of gasoline-powered farm tools like tractors and seed drills, along with advanced plows, allowed for more efficient land use and encouraged farmers to plant large fields with single crops to maximize profits. These technologies facilitated the move from subsistence farming to a market-oriented approach, where farmers grew crops for sale rather than just for personal consumption.

User Henry Cho
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