Agriculture in England

The period 1870-1947 was for the most part hostile to English farmers. After investing heavily during the mid-19th century in feeding the growing industrial population, they found themselves undercut by imported produce, and left to struggle by a government committed to the policies of free trade. This study describes the search for new products, techniques and machinery which has enabled farmers to survive, comparing failures as well as success stories in different parts of the country. Government relations with farmers are studied, focusing on official support during World War I, and there is a survey of the farmers' response to the food shortages of World War II.