HISTORY OF THE BREEDS. 43 



chiefs, the breed was not improved for centuries. 

 With long bodies, they were adapted for moun- 

 tain ranging, and were known as the "long 

 sheep. 9 ' Crossing has given them better conforma- 

 tion. They are excellent wool and mutton pro- 

 ducers, good foragers, and are gaining in popu- 

 larity. Their beauty and alert activity have con- 

 tributed not a little in this. 



Dorset. 



This breed is white-faced; it is peculiar in that 

 both ram and ewe have horns. The Dorsets seem 

 to have sprung from a breed common in the 

 southern and central parts of England since the 

 earliest times. The county of Dorset was espe- 

 cially famed for this kind of sheep, hence the 

 name. About 1862 they were recognized as a 

 distinct breed. 



Their great prolificacy renders the Dorset valu- 

 able for intensive farming; two lambings a year, 

 and frequently twins, is the record. If only one 

 crop of lambs is raised, the Dorset ewe will come 

 in season very early, and produce lambs for the 

 "hot-house" trade. 



Suffolk. 



The progenitors of this breed were known as 

 the Norfolks, and thrived in southeastern Eng- 

 land. They were hardy and good rangers. Along 

 in the early part of the last century they were 

 improved by crossing with the Southdowns; in 

 1859 they were recognized as a distinct breed. 



