THE MUTTON BREEDS OF SHEEP 348 



SUFFOLK DOWN SHEEP. Fig. 67. 

 By David McCrae 



403. Suffolk sheep get their name from the county of 

 Suffolk, England, where the breed was originally developed. 

 They are a short-wooled mutton breed. 



404. History in England. The Suffolk is the modern 

 representative of the old Norfolk breed, crossed with 

 the Southdown. In some respects, the old Norfolk 

 breed resembled the Black-faced Highland, having 

 the same colored face and legs, with full bone, long 

 spiral horns, long body, flat ribs, and rather narrow 

 loins. It differed from the latter in having very fine 

 short wool. The mutton was of that fine, rich flavor 

 that is found in many semi-wild animals. The great 

 value of the old breed was its mutton, which, when 

 long kept, more closely resembled venison than that of 

 any other breed. 



The Suffolk is the result of a cross between this old 

 Norfolk breed and the Southdown, and shows what very 

 important results may be achieved by able and enterprising 

 breeders. The modern Suffolk is a conspicuous example of 

 remarkable success in cross-breeding. By careful selection 

 and management, the horns have disappeared. The 

 Suffolk possesses excellent grazing qualities, and yields 

 a carcass of lean, w r ell-flavored mutton. Separate classes 

 were first made for this breed at the Suffolk show in 1859, 

 but it was not recognized by the Royal Agricultural Society 

 until 1886. 



405. History in America. The Suffolk may be con- 

 sidered a recent introduction to America. In 1888, sheep 

 of this breed were brought both to Canada and to the 



