a stretch bagging apparatus of the type having a reciprocable table top , including a pair of transversely extensible horns which are advanced axially into an open ended bag supported upon a bag elevator . after the horns advance into the bag , they are transversely extended so as to stretch the bag sides during filling of the bag . after the bag is filled with a chicken or the like , a carriage supporting the table top is axially retracted . the present apparatus is characterized principally by its provision for a longitudinally reciprocable table top which supports and axially advances both the article being bagged and the transversely extensible horns . the bag elevator includes a pivoted hocking plate valving mechanism which enables the operator to override the packaging system by pushing the filled bag against the hocking plate .