Between 1812 and 1860, according to Mack Smith's History of Sicily, the number of large landowners in Sicily rocketed from 2,000 to 20,000; and between 1860 and 1900 the number of hectares in private hands increased from 250,000 to 650,000 (Sereni 1971: 276-277). The change was dramatic, and it meant that as land became more available, protection grew more scarce.

Diego Gambetta, The Sicilian Mafia The Busi…, loc. 226