pasturage is not of the highest quality. The Suffolk is an early 

 maturing sheep ; well grazed wether lambs are ready for the 

 butcher at six months, and at eight or ten months yield a fine lean 

 carcase of 80 to 90 Ibs. Ram lambs are largely used for breeding 

 purposes in preference to older sheep. 



Quality of Mutton and Carcase. As proof of the exceptional 

 quality of Suffolk carcases it is only necessary to refer to the 

 records of the leading fat stock shows. In the carcase competitions 

 at the Smithfield Show during the last 11 years Suffolks and 

 Suffolk crosses have secured 69 prizes, including 29 firsts, out of a 

 possible total of 170 in the " short-woolled " and "cross-bred" 

 classes, while in the same period Suffolk sheep obtained the 

 Championship on six occasions in competition with all other breeds. 

 The carcase is particularly noted for leanness and absence of 

 wasteful fat. 



Value for Crossing. Suffolk rams are extensively used for crossing 

 with ewes of other breeds. Crossed with the Longwool breeds the 

 quality of carcase of the ram is combined with the size and fleece of 

 the ewe. Large numbers are used in the North of England and in 

 Scotland for crossing with Half-bred and Cheviot ewes, though to a 

 great extent the Oxford has taken the place of the Suffolk for 

 crossing with Half-breds. While the home of the breed is in East 

 Anglia it does well in other parts of England, and there is a good 

 export trade to practically all the chief sheep-breeding countries. 

 Among the most recent developments it may be mentioned that 

 Suffolks are meeting with success in the Transvaal, where the rams 

 meet with a ready sale for crossing with the native sheep. 



Suffolk Classes at the Smithfield Show, 1902-1911. 



THE HAMPSHIRE DOWN. 



Origin of the Breed. According to the Flock Book (founded 1890) 

 of the Hampshire Down Sheep Breeders' Association, the Hamp- 

 shire Down " undoubtedly dates its origin from the crossing of the 

 old Wiltshire Horned sheep and the old Berkshire Knot with the 

 Southdowns which were introduced into Wiltshire and Hampshire 

 early in the 19th century." The early results varied in different 

 districts. n the north and east the progeny were dark brown, 

 almost black on the face and ears, and possessed enormous neck 

 muscles, a Roman nose, strong leg bones, a tendency to produce 

 loose scurs and wool growing below the hocks and knees, with only 

 occasional white spots on the hair-covered surface. In Wiltshire a 



