87 



is pink, and free from blue or dark spots, the body square, on short 

 straight, stout legs, with good bone." A good average weight of 

 fleece in an ordinary ewe flock is 7 or 8 Ib. 



Shropshire Classes at the Smithfield Show, 1902-1911. 



THE SUFFOLK. 



The Suffolk breed was originally formed by crossing Norfolk' 

 Horned ewes with Southdown rams. In 1859 classes were opened 

 for the breed at the Suffolk Agricultural Association Shows, 

 and thenceforward it was given the name of " Suffolk." 



From its Norfolk ancestors the Suffolk has inherited fecundity, 

 hardiness and activity, while from the Southdown it derives its 

 compactness of form and quick-fattening power. Suffolk mutton 

 combines the leanness of the Norfolk with the fine grain and 

 symmetry of carcase of the Southdown. 



The breed has made rapid progress since 1886 when it secured 

 separate classes at the Royal Agricultural Society's Show and when 

 the Suffolk Sheep Society was established. 



Characteristics of the Breed. The following are the distinguish- 

 ing points which the Society regards as desirable : Head hornless, 

 and generally free from wool, though a small quantity of clean white 

 wool on the forehead is not objected to ; face long, and, like the legs 

 below the knees and hocks, well covered with jet black hair of fine 

 texture ; muzzle moderately fine ; ears fine, black and medium in 

 length. Neck of moderate length and well set (in rams stronger, 

 with a good crest). Skin fine, soft and pink. Legs and feet 

 straight and black, with fine and flat bone ; woolled to the knees 

 and hocks, clean below. Belly (also scrotum of ram) well covered 

 with wool. Fleece, of moderately short, close fine fibre, without 

 tendency to mat or felt together. A good average ewe flock 

 will clip from 5 to 7 Ibs. each. The new-born lamb has a uniform 

 grimy colour all over the tips of the wool, not patchy like the Iambs 

 of the old Norfolk breed. 



The ewes make good mothers and 150 lambs reared per 100 ewes 

 is a frequent average. Returns collected by the Suffolk Sheep 

 Society show the average proportion of lambs reared by registered 

 ewes from 1887 to 1911 to be 133'9 per cent., and the average loss 

 of ewes between mating and weaning only 3'8 per cent. Suffolk 

 sheep are hardy, and while they pay well for generous treatment 

 they can find a living on bare pastures where many other breeds 

 would starve. This, along with their ability to travel long 

 distances, makes them well fitted for grazing districts where 



