72 HOLDINGS 



excessive subdivision and fragmentation is seen, and 

 everywhere indirect damage is being caused ; for there 

 is no such thing in the country as a permanent farm. 

 Subdivision and fragmentation of land occur as each 

 generation enters into its patrimony, and this pre- 

 cludes anything like the idea of steady and orderly 

 development. When it is realised that the evils 

 enumerated above are already pressing heavily on a 

 large and increasing proportion of the land, putting 

 it outside the possibility of effective cultivation or 

 economical development, the necessity for some re- 

 medial action will be appreciated. 



In Appendix II. it is shown how in other countries 

 similar causes have produced similar results and the 

 remedial action adopted to meet the difficulty is stated. 

 The facts set forth in Appendix II. make it clear that 

 in other countries — 



1. Excessive subdivision and fragmentation of hold- 

 ings have directly resulted from laws of inheritance 

 which, on the death of the father, distribute the land 

 amongst his children. 



2. Though in several countries the peasants have 

 made strenuous efforts (amounting in some cases to 

 an agreement to ignore the law of the land) to preserve 

 the holdings intact, they have failed to accomplish 

 their object adequately. 



3. Eemedial legislation has been found necessary, 

 and has been adopted in a large number of the most 

 progressive countries to remedy the evils caused by 

 their law T of inheritance. 



