Describe farming prior to the Agricultural revolution

Before the Agricultural Revolution, which began in the 18th century, farming was typically characterized by manual labour and simple tools. This type of farming is often referred to as subsistence agriculture, where farmers grew just enough food to feed their families with little left over for trade. Here's a more detailed look into farming before the Agricultural Revolution:

1. Small-scale farming: Farms were generally small, and families would work their own plots of land. The system of land ownership and tenancy could vary, but feudal systems were common in Europe, where peasants worked the land owned by nobles.

2. Limited technology: Tools were simple and made primarily of wood and metal, like wooden plows pulled by animals, sickles, and scythes for harvesting. The lack of advanced technology meant that agricultural productivity was relatively low.

3. Crop rotation: One of the methods used to maintain soil fertility was the three-field system of crop rotation. In this system, farmers would rotate cereal crops (like wheat and barley), legumes (like peas and beans), and sometimes a fallow (resting) period. This prevented nutrient depletion in the soil, as different crops would use different nutrients.

4. Labour intensive: Farming relied heavily on human and animal labour. Tasks like planting, cultivating, and harvesting crops were done by hand or with the help of animals.

5. Seasonality: Farmers followed the rhythms of the seasons and the weather patterns, planting and harvesting crops at times that were dictated by these natural cycles.

6. Limited surplus and trade: Most farming was subsistence-based, and only a small surplus, if any, was produced for trading. Local markets were the main outlets for this surplus.

7. Diverse farming: Farmers often had a mix of different types of agriculture on a single farm; they could grow a variety of crops and also maintain livestock for meat, dairy products, and as draft animals.

The Agricultural Revolution brought significant changes to these practices, introducing new farming techniques, crop varieties, and technology that dramatically increased the scale and productivity of agriculture.