That the rate of progress in the century was not more rapid is attributed by Blyth to several causes[257]:—­

  1.  Want of leases, by which tenants were deprived of security.

  2.  Discouragement to flood (irrigate) land, from the risk of
     law suits with neighbours.

  3.  Intermixture of different properties in common fields.

  4.  Unlimited pasturage on commons, by which they were overstocked.

  5.  The want of a law compelling all men to kill moles.

  6.  The excessive number of water-mills, to the great destruction
     of much gallant land.

The average price of wheat during the seventeenth century was 41s. a quarter, of barley 22s., and oats 14s. 8-1/2d.  Oxen averaged about L5 apiece, cows much less, about L3, and there was not much change in their value during the century.  Sheep were about 10s. 6d., and a cart-horse in the first half of the century from L5 to L10, in the second half from L8 to L15.  Beef rose from 2d. a lb. in the early part of the century to 3d. at the close of it.  Wool remained stationary at from 9d. to 1s. per lb.

[258]A proclamation of 1633 fixed the following prices for London poulterers and victuallers:—­

s. d.

Best turkey-cock                   4    4
Duck                                    8
Best hen                           1    0
3 eggs                                  1
1 lb. best fresh butter in winter       6
1 lb. best fresh butter in summer       5
1 lb. best salt butter                  4-1/2
Best fat goose                      2   0
"   crammed capon                  2   6
"   pullet                         1   6
"   chicken                            6

According to the Manydown Manor Rolls the Wootton churchwardens in 1600 paid from 8s. to 11s. for calves, 4s. 4d. for a fat lamb, 8s. for a sheep, 6s. 8d. for a barren ewe, 6d. for a couple of chickens, 1s. 6d. for 500 faggots.[259]

After the restoration in 1660 another period of prosperity set in,[260] and altogether the century was a prosperous one for farmers and manufacturers.  The newly established Royal Society materially helped agriculture.  ’Since his majesty’s most happy restoration the whole land hath been fermented and stirred up by the profitable hints it hath received from the Royal Society, by which means parks have been disparked, commons enclosed, woods turned into arable, and pasture lands improved by clover, St. foine, turnips, cole-seed, and many other good husbandries, so that the food of cattle is increased as fast, if not faster, than the consumption, and by these means the rent of the kingdom is far greater than ever it was.’[261] The century was distinguished also for the curious number of cycles of good and bad seasons; 1646-50 were years of prolonged dearth, wheat reaching an enormous price, and 1661-2, were famine years, while the end of the century was long famous for its barren years.