In 1700 more than 90 percent of Europe's population lived in the countryside. Most were peasants working on the land. They grew their own food, using tools and farming methods which had changed very little since medieval times. By 1800 the number of people in Europe soared from 120 million to over 180 million. Farmers needed to find ways to grow much bigger quantities of crops so that there was enough food to feed many more people.
Fact file
As a result of improved breeding techniques, farmers were able to produce sheep which gave better wool. They also had short legs and barrel-like bodies for more meat.
resources: Tell me why (Chancellor Press)
image 1: http://gb.fotolibra.com/images/previews/50052-agricultural-revolution-illustration.jpeg
image 2: https://countrysidenetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/InbornWormEweQuads.jpg
