[Transcriber's Note: This eText was produced from Agriculture inVirginia, 1607-1699 as published in 1957. Extensive research did notuncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication wasrenewed.]
Various events in the latter years of the sixteenth century did muchto shape the future destiny of the English nation. With thedestruction of the Spanish Armada in 1588, England rose from a minorposition in world affairs to one of major importance. One of thefirst changes was reflected in her attitude towards trade andcommerce. England was no longer penned up on her "tight little isle,"and her ships could sail the high seas in comparative safety.Expansion of her foreign trade seemed the only answer to herambitions, but foreign trade required a two way transfer of products.In order to sell goods, it was necessary to buy in exchange. Worldcommerce had already become well stabilized among friendly nationsmaking it difficult for outside businessmen to share in theseestablished commitments. So England was soon to direct her attentionstoward America.
It was with eyes focused on future trade that the businessmen whocomposed the London Company contributed the huge sums that wererequired to finance the settlement at Jamestown, Virginia.Agriculture was not of prime importance. At that time England wasself-sufficient so far as the production of grains and livestock wasconcerned. Ordinary farm products would not pay the cost oftransportation across the ocean. Of course, it was expected that thecolonists would eventually produce their own food stuffs; however,until that stage of development occurred it was expected that theLondon Company would supply the needs of the colony direct fromEngland.
The men of the first expedition were not farmers and took littleinterest in farming. A good many came, hoping to share in riches,that their imagination had created. Fantastic tales about theAmericas had been circulated in Europe during the century followingtheir discovery. The most authentic of these foreign[Pg 2] travel journalshad been translated into English and published around the turn of thesixteenth century. Reports also of rich prizes, laden with gold,captured on the Spanish Main by English privateers, had inflamed theEnglish mind. If the Spaniards could find such vast treasures inAmerica, why should not the English do the same?
Then too, as the first colony of Virginia lay between 34 and 41degrees north-latitude, the same approximately as Italy and Spain, itwas expected that the much desired warm weather products enjoyed bythe Mediterranean people, such as oranges, lemons, sugar, and spicescould be produced equally as well in America. Jamestown eventuallycontributed great financial benefits to the Mother Country fromagricultural accomplishments. These benefits could not in 1607 bevisualized. To understand the vicissitudes which beset the colonistsin the early years of the settlement, one should be familiar with theagricultural practices of both the Old World and the Ne