IMPORTANCE OF FARM ANIMALS 



15 



In countries other than our own, where railways do not 

 exist, the transportation of freight must be done by animals 

 or on the shoulders of men. In many countries the people 

 use the backs of animals for this purpose. In northern 

 Africa, the camel is known as "the ship of the desert," for 

 on its back is carried both man and .freight from the interior 

 to the coast. In parts of Asia, the elephant becomes a 

 mighty beast of burden, performing wonderful draft service. 

 The little donkey, regarded in America as simply a play- 



Figure 3. An ox team in Washington State. Photograph by Bert C. Thomas. 



thing for children, is widely used over the world as a burden 

 bearer of the most steady and dependable sort. 



Thus it is seen that domestic animals, even to-day, 

 play a very important part in moving merchandise and per- 

 forming labor. Although the motor-truck has become an 

 important medium for transporting freight in our towns and 



