Tom roberts, shearing the rams 1890

摘要

Jim Coffey, bearded 'champion of the shed' [1], back bent, muscles tensed, pipe strapped to his thigh, holds down a struggling ram with his powerful left arm while stripping a creamy white 'long blow' (full-length) fleece with a pair of 'tongs' (hand-shears). 'Down the board' fl] in line astern, Jim's bearded mates shear the creatures' necks, bellies and shoulders. The fleeces spill onto the rough wooden floors to be gathered by a barefoot lad, who strolls along carrying wool to store, past the scowling 'roustabout' (John Monahan) as he wrestles a large, handsome ram into position.