1. The Improvers

2. Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull born in 1674 is considered to be one of the early proponents of a scientific approach to agriculture. He helped transform agricultural practices by inventing or improving numerous implements.

3. At the time, seeds were distributed into furrows ('drilling') by hand
At the time, seeds were distributed into furrows ('drilling') by hand. Tull invented a machine to do the work for him. He designed his seed drill with a rotating cylinder. Seeds passed from the hopper above to a funnel below. They were then directed into a channel dug by a plough at the front of the machine, then immediately covered by a harrow attached to the rear. This limited the wastage of seeding and made the crop easier to weed.

4. While several other mechanical seed drills had also been invented, Tull's complete system was a major influence on the agricultural revolution and its impact can still be seen in today's methods and machinery.

5. Turnip Townshend
Viscount Townshend is famous for introducing to England the four-field crop rotation, (wheat, barley, turnips and clover).

6. Crop Rotation

7. The system (wheat, barley, turnips and clover), provided a fodder crop and grazing crop allowing livestock to be bred year-round.
Crop rotation increased productivity by avoiding leaving the soil uncultivated ( fallow)
Crop rotation also prevented the build-up of crop-specific soil pests and diseases
The four-field crop rotation was a key development in the British Agricultural Revolution

8. As a result of this, and other agricultural experiments he became known as Turnip Townshend. Although a figure of some fun, ( turnips being his favourite topic of conversation) his agricultural reforms were extremely important.