[3] He provided estimates, based on his local knowledge, of the land use of the one million acres (4,000 km2) in the county.

[4] It advocated ways of modernising farming practices, particularly through mechanisation, which including instructions for hedge building and crop rotation (also how to treat sick animals with hay tea and improve cucumber production with horse dung!).

It also includes a chapter on political economy related to the narrow margin of British food supplies, in view of the outbreak of war with France in 1793, and mentions developments on the Somerset coalfield.

One eulogy by Sir Benjamin Hobhouse, President of the Bath and West Society, exaggerates considerably, referring to him as having "drained Sedgemoor and enclosed Mendip"!

[1] Because of the moribund state of the lead mines in the Mendip Hills, he proposed to drive a 5 miles (8 km) level from Compton Martin to Wookey Hole at a depth of 450 feet (137 m) below the surface to remove the water which was flooding the mines – nothing came of this plan.

By 1794, Billingsley estimated that 13,600 acres (55 km2) had been enclosed by Dry stone walls, leaving 11,550 unenclosed.