This concise survey of British agriculture between 1870 and 1940 shows how, after a period of comparative prosperity, British farmers faced a period of depression. The prime cause was the increase in world food supplies and the competition from cheaper producers. The author explains how this agricultural depression affected all groups in British farming in different ways. He provides a succinct survey of the recent literature on the subject and outlines the major areas of controversy. A comprehensive bibliography is provided to help the reader pursue the subject in more detail.