106 



Characteristics of the Breed. The breed is hornless, but occa- 

 sionally a ram develops backward-pointing horns a couple of inches 

 long. The head is large and well proportioned, the ears of good 

 medium size, covered inside and out with hard hair showing black 

 spots, and set on about level, so that the inside can be seen by an 

 observer as the animal looks at him. Dun on the face is a fault, 

 but black spots of hair on black skin, deepening in the neighbour- 

 hood of a black muzzle, and also round the eyes, are characteristic. 



The wool often 15 inches long beautifully fine in quality, and 

 very strong when tested by breaking, resembles that of the Devon 

 Longwool in staple, but is finer, more wavy and curly, and more 

 even in quality all over the body. It extends over the poll and 

 down to the knees and hocks, and a little on the hind legs. In the 

 best flocks the fleece averages 10 or 12 Ib. for ewes, and the skin 

 underneath is a " bright red " or clear pink colour. 



THE OLD NORFOLK HORNED. 



The Old Norfolk Horned breed is represented by a remnant 

 distributed among some four small flocks. It is one of the original 

 parents of the Suffolk, and of the same general type as the 

 Blackfaced Heath breed, although, owing to its location on light 

 chalky soils in a dry climate, the wool is silky and not abundant. 

 The successful competition of Merino wool led to the breed 

 becoming almost extinct, although it was long the prevailing breed 

 of Norfolk and Suffolk. The South Down drove it first out of the 

 low country to the higher land of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridge. 

 Low says " they were noted for hardiness and robustness, great 

 length of limbs, and too great wildness of temper. They hold their 

 long necks erect, and their carriage resembles that of an antelope." 



The breed has been enormously improved in symmetry by selection 

 and in-breeding, and it now claims remarkably handsome animals witl 

 jet black faces and legs, gay high-set expanding horns, and black- 

 spotted bodies. The ewes are very prolific, excellent mothers, and 

 good grazers, but they require a large range. They never suffer 

 from foot-rot, and in the breeding flock old age is the most commoi 

 cause of death. When ready for the butcher, the Norfolk sheej 

 carries a large proportion of lean, and no other breed can show 

 much red meat in proportion to fat at the end of the saddle-cut, 

 characteristic which has been largely handed on to the Suffoll 

 The breed gained first prize in the carcase competition at Smith- 

 field in 1902, and second in 1901. The drawbacks of the Norfoll 

 sheep are that they jump like goats, are very difficult to fence, anc 

 are very slow producers. 



