NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK RED POLLED CATTLE. 145 



The writer is by no means disposed to accept the theory 

 propounded by the author of the article on " Scotch Polled 

 Cattle" (page 98), that our Norfolk polls are simply red 

 Galloways. True enough, there is a resemblance between the 

 heads of the two sorts, each being furnished with a thick tuft 

 of hair, covering the forehead. In the Norfolk beast this 

 appendage will, however, be frequently composed of a mixture 

 of red and white hair. More rarely, a large spot of pure white 

 makes its appearance in the face. The deep, blood-red colour 

 of the Norfolk polls is, moreover, many shades darker than 

 we have seen in any specimens of the Galloway breed. These 

 two peculiarities go far to support the conclusion we have 

 arrived at — that the old native race had a due share in the 

 concoction of the present breed. As to by whom this cross was 

 first resorted to, we have no precise information. Marshall, 

 indeed, mentions that long before his time polled Suffolk, 

 Galloway, and even West Highland bulls were used for crossing 

 with the Norfolk home breeds ; but so highly did he appreciate 

 the good qualities of the latter, that he only refers to crossing, 

 in order to condemn the practice. 



In the absence of documentary evidence, we have it on the 

 authority of Mr. Money Griggs * of Gateley (now in his 

 hundredth year, and for upwards of eighty years a tenant on 

 the Elmham estate), that from his earliest recollection red 

 polled cattle were kept in the neighbourhood of this place. 



One of the oldest breeds in the county is that of Mr. George,, 

 of Eaton, near Norwich. The son and successor of its founder, 

 in reply to inquiries from the writer of this article, says : 

 " I think about 1800-10, my father commenced to collect what 

 were at that time called the blood-red polled Suffolk cows ; but 

 why Suffolk polled I do not know, for to the best of my recol- 

 lection they came chiefly from Norfolk farmers, from Mr. Reeve^ 

 of Wighton, Mr. England, of Binham ; and I well remember he 

 had a cow picked up for him by a Mr. Walne, of Foulsham 

 (four miles from Elmham) not long after he commenced the- 



* On Jan. 29, 1872, this fine old yeoman died, after a few days' illness ; 

 until within a short time before his death he was in the daily habit of 

 walking over the farm ; long after ninety he would ride to meets of the 

 Norfolk foxhounds in his neighbourhood. 



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