LECTURE LXVI. 



SUFFOLKS. 



Origin, History, and Development, and Points to Be Observed 

 in the Judging and Selection of the Same. 



The Suffolk sheep is very highly spoken of. It is one of 

 the few survivors of the old Down breeds that inhabited the 

 chalk cliffs of the southern counties of England. The three 

 important original Down breeds being the Southdown, Hamp- 

 shire Downs, and Suffolk Downs. One of the first and most 

 enthusiastic champions of this breed was a Mr. Dobilo, and to 

 him much credit is due for the improvement made on it by 

 careful crossing and selection. 



In order to bring about the desired results, he crossed 

 Southdown rams on Suffolk ewes and vice versa. This was 

 kept up till about 1850, since which no foreign blood has been 

 brought in. 



The Suffolk is a very useful sheep and is described as fol- 

 lows by the Suffolk Sheep Society of England: "Head horn- 

 less; face black and long, and muzzle reasonably fine, espe- 

 cially in ewes (a small quantity of clear white wool on the 

 forehead not objected to) ; ears a medium length, black and 

 of fine texture; eyes bright and full; neck moderately long 

 and well set; shoulder broad and oblique; chest deep and 

 wide; back and loin long, level, and well covered; tail broad 

 and well set up; ribs long and well sprung, with a full flank; 

 legs and feet straight and black, with fine and flat bone; 

 wooled to knees and hocks, clean below; fore legs set well 

 apart; hind legs well filled with mutton; belly well covered 

 with wool; fleece moderately short, close fine fiber without 

 tendency to mat or felt together, and no shading off into 

 dark wool or hair; the skin is fine, soft and pink." 



In 1859 they were first called Suffolks and were given a 

 separate classification in the show ring. Since this time they 

 have been sent to several foreign countries, where they have 

 given a good account of themselves. In size they are larger 



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