192 The 'Book of the Goat. 



opening, the one above having at the bottom a corre- 

 sponding piece removed, so that when the edges meet an 

 oval hole is formed, measuring yin. from top to bottom, 

 and 6in. across. The object of this, as may be readily 

 guessed, is to hold the animal's neck, it being easily 

 effected by sliding up the top board, and as soon as the 

 head is inserted over the lower one letting it drop, securing 

 the two boards together with a couple of hooks and eyes. 

 The upper plank is arranged by means of two weights 

 and some sash-line run on pulleys to slide up and down 

 like a window without any trouble or exertion. 



The dimensions I have given of the holes and their 

 distance from the ground are in accordance with the sizes 

 of my goats' necks and their heights. They may, there- 

 fore, be made larger or smaller to accommodate the 

 animals for which the apparatus is intended. In any 

 case they must not be too large or a hornless goat will 

 withdraw its head. 



When the milking-bench is used these stocks require 

 to be somewhat modified in construction; they are then 

 narrower in width, one opening only being required ; the 

 sliding-board works all the better for this, as it is less 

 apt to catch at the sides. It is scarcely necessary to add 

 that the stocks are raised to the required elevation, 

 according to the height of the bench. 



It will be found advantageous to have a bench and 

 stocks fitted up in the goat-house, and to use them with 

 all goats, whether restive or not; the animals are then 

 accustomed to their use, and if at any time they become 

 restless at milking they are at once subject to control. 



It must not be supposed that all goats are the same 

 trouble to milk as the one I have described. On the 

 contrary, as a general rule they are, after the first few 

 times, quiet and tractable, submitting to the operation 

 with apparent pleasure. Nor is this to be wondered at, 



