Question

2. (15%). What is meant by the "scattering of strips" in agriculture in medieval Europe? Explain how this was a response to conditions existing in Europe during the Middle Ages and what its advantages were under these conditions. (Please give two different advantages.) What factors would cause this practice to disappear?

Answer 1

Scattering of strips in agriculture

Strip cropping agriculture is a technique of farming to reduce soil erosion under which the farms are cultivated by making 10-30 feet wide buffer strip of grass between crops on side slopes. Unfer this method a close growing crop is alternated to preserve the strength of the soil.

Reason for scattering of strips in mediaeval Europe

Scttered strip system in agriculture wasbintroduced due to inefficiency of narrow strips system .This method was considered inefficient for agricultural production and resistant to new technology.

Two distinct advantages of scattered strip system

* This system helped in avoiding soul erosion

* This system helped farmers to introduce new innovative technologies

# Factors responsible to cause the narrow strip system systemto disappear

* There was a huge difficulty to fit down the agricultural equipment within the narrow rows. The farmers had to require additional Equipment to fit in such rows and it might be costlier.

* Sometimes the farmers didn't have proper soil conditions for fertilizer application.

* Crop may be susceptible to lodging at higher plant population.