ABSTRACT
During the nineteenth century the population of Wessex increased more rapidly and dramatically than ever before; the number of people more than doubled between 1801 and 1901. Moreover, the population expansion was very uneven: a few towns developed at a tremendous rate, while the population of many rural communities scarcely grew at all, or after initial growth declined sharply during the later part of the century. An equally dramatic explosion of population following the coming of the railways can be observed in the resorts along the south coast. The chapter discusses the effect of the railways upon the canals of the region. Agriculture was also greatly affected, for the railways made it possible for farmers, even in the most remote parts of the region, to obtain new equipment.
