Indian Science and Technology in the Eighteenth Century: Some Contemporary European Accounts c20.13

c20.13

The agricultural society which has been formed in Calcutta may diffuse knowledge and correct some errors: they contemplate the introduction of new and useful plants; the improvement of implements of husbandry and stock;⁴ but the Indian Husbandman must be rendered independent and furnished with capital before he can enter into the expensive details and machinery of the English farmer. It can be of little importance to him to rear stock for the purpose of food, where it is only eaten in any quantity by a handful of Europeans. Even this encouragement has generally, if not always, been sufficient to secure at the European stations, an abundant supply of excellent and wholesome meat.