GOATS 897 



combination trough and table was devised by F. W. 

 Ludlow, of Lake Valley, New Mexico. This table is first 

 used in the shape of a trough. The goat is placed in 

 it on its back and held down by means of a strap across 

 its throat. While in this position all the underparts, 

 sides and legs may be worked on. In machine shearing, 

 it is a good practice to start at the brisket and shear all 

 the belly as far back as possible ; then shear the front legs 

 and neck ; then start at the hocks and shear up the hind- 

 legs and along the sides to the point of beginning. After 

 shearing one of the sides allowed by the trough, the goat 

 is tied " hog tied/' to use a western expression that 

 is, all four feet are tied together. The sides of the trough 

 are now dropped, forming a table on which to finish the 

 operation. There is now free access from the tail to the 

 head, and the goat remains helpless. The proper course 

 is to leave all the fleece on the table until the goat is liber- 

 ated, and then roll it up inside out. 



Ludlow's description of this table is given herewith: 

 " The table is simple in construction. It is about 22 

 inches high, 2 feet 10 inches long and 21 inches wide. 

 The top is composed of two 9-inch sides, which are hinged 

 to the 3-inch centerpiece. On the lower side of these 

 movable flaps is a narrow piece 8 inches long, which catches 

 on the framework of the table when the sides are lifted 

 and holds them stationary. When the sides are elevated, 

 the top of the table forms a trough 3 inches wide at the 

 bottom and possibly a foot wide at the top. Into this 

 trough the goat to be shorn is thrown, feet up. A small 

 strap, which hangs from the end of one of the sides, is 

 run over the goat's neck and fastened to the other side. 

 The goat's head is hanging over the end of the table and 

 the strap prevents it getting free. The belly and legs are 



