Young ranch owners will appreciate at least one jointed cow pony similar to the one diagramed in A of Figure 4.19, which can be pivoted to give the "hands" a good workout by high tailing, bucking, and sun fishing.

The figure is assembled somewhat like Patsy the Ponderous Pachyderm, except that the inner body is pivoted in the center, and the neck and legs are also pivoted as indicated. The diagonally shaded parts are cut from 1/4-in. plywood and carefully sanded. Double dotted lines indicate sections of 1/8-in. plywood; the head and tail sections remain uncovered. The outer sections or "skin" labeled X and Y, of 1/8-in. veneer, are firmly glued to the 1/4-in. inner bodies, and the jointed legs, also of 1/8-in. plywood veneer, are pivoted to the outside of X and Y, like the legs of the elephant. Next to a careful fitting of all jointed parts, the success of the assembly is dependent upon a tight riveting of the pivots, so that the figure will retain various positions. To make a scale saddle to fit this animated pony, complete with cantle, swell, trapaderos, girths, and conchas, would be a meticulous carving project of doubtful value. Far better to equip the playful little beast with a bit of cloth blanket cinched in place with a piece of elastic garter material, and let the "cow pokes" try their luck bareback, with a painted bridle and thread reins. If the legs of the rider shown in B are angled inward, he will be able to "top his bronc" without stirrups. A "railbird" or two (C) will always show up for the Sun. Other appropriate figures may be engaged in rope spinning, or merely standing about in bowlegged preoccupation. A few booted feminine cutouts will soften the rugged establishment into a dude ranch, with Sister as co-manager. Cactus and sagebrush cut from scrap plywood (D), when painted and attached to suitable bases, will accent the western atmosphere.

Ranch Cutouts

Fig. 4.19. Ranch cutouts.

The amateur photographer with facilities for snapping scale photos, or for "blowing them up" or reducing them in his darkroom, can provide lifelike prints which will add interest and excitement to the silhouettes of ranch or farm personnel. When the boy of the family owns or can borrow a cowboy outfit, he can be posed in various positions and photographed from both sides. The prints should be from 5 1/2 to 6 in. tall and are glued to both sides of thin wood or stout cardboard cutouts. The subject can double as a rail-bird, roper, cow hand, "dude wrangler," cook, or owner, as posed. For the farmyard set, someone in overalls and a floppy straw hat can model the farmer or his hired hand, in various situations. Barns should have cats to keep down the mice and rats, and most ranches and farms shelter at least one dog. How to photograph both sides of animal pets or fowl in a given pose with one camera is a problem worthy of the most avid "shutter bug."