To the care taken of the beasts is greatly due the perfection of their
breed and to a certain extent their numbers; but the law that
contributes most to the marvellous increase of our flocks and herds is
that which forbids the slaughter of the female. In every species the
male only is used for food. If we killed the mother we should, as it
were, kill the progeny that would otherwise be bred from her, and our
immense stocks would not then be a hundredth part as numerous as they
are at present.
The cow, after she has ceased bearing, is used to carry the women's
baskets, or for very light draughts. The ewe, when she has ceased
bearing, is trained to assist in field and garden operations, to pull up
cabbages, carrots, and other vegetables, being, in short, more useful to
us than the dog.