In this survey of a ubiquitous feature within the British landscape, Moran focuses on the origin and role of the allotment during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The Movement keenly reflects British economic and social changes during that period. In particular, the movement expresses national and local concern with relief of the poor. An intensive examination of allotments in Swindon parallels fluctuations in the national history of the Movement. The study is of special interest to social historians, cultural geographers and urban sociologists.