28 FARM ANIMALS 
fiber. And cotton, the most extensively used vegetable 
fiber, is possible only from the assistance that horses, 
mules and oxen give in its production. 
9. Animals as a source of food.—Much the larger part 
of the vegetation which grows in the earth’s surface is 
unsuited for human consumption. But converted into 
milk, butter, cheese, meat and animal fats, the supply of 
human food is greatly increased. Not only is there more 
of it, but the quality of animal flesh and other products is 
TAKING A CARTLOAD OF SHEEP SKINS TO MARKET 
This photograph was taken at Cette, France, and is typical of the custom of gather- 
ing animal skins in all parts of the world for man to use for one purpose or another. 
superior to an exclusive vegetable diet. Among all the 
food products of man none are more efficient or refined 
than meat and dairy and poultry products. The human 
race has made its greatest progress in regions where 
animal products are an important part of man’s regular 
dietary. 
The domestication of animals has added also to human progress 
by increasing the stability of the food supply. Like grain eleva- 
tors in primary markets, domestic animals are storehouses of food 
to be called on when soil products are temporarily limited, and al- 
lowed to accumulate gradually when these products are plentiful. 
Where meat raising is a part of the activity of the people, famine 
seldom occurs. 
