122 EQUIPMENT 



obstacle to progress in breeding, and limit the sources 

 of profit to be derived from the existing animals. It 

 may also be mentioned that the system of free 

 pasturage on common grazing lands, though it 

 certainly is a convenience to small holders, is as great 

 an obstacle to progress in India as it was in England 

 two centuries ago.* The result is that the cattle 

 industry in India, which should be a source of im- 

 mense profit to the country, rests on an uneconomic 

 basis and is far less productive than it might be. 

 As common grazing lands come under the plough, 

 methods of feeding are slowly improving ; but until 

 the rigid Hindu attitude towards cattle changes prog- 

 ress must of necessity be restricted. Even in this 

 matter, however, signs of change are apparent, and 

 it may be noted that quite recently the Patidars of 

 south Gujarat have modified their caste rules so as to 

 permit the castration of bulls. 



* Vide pp. 24, 25. 



