Chapter LXXI. 



ENGLISH, OR BLACK SUFFOLK. 



In America, there is such a common impression that the Suffolk is 

 a white hog, that it is necessary to treat of the two breeds under differ- 

 ent heads. We have never seen a specimen of the pure Black Suffolk, 

 but we give a description based upon that given by the best English au- 

 thors of modern times. The origin of the breed is at best doubtful; 

 probably the Neapolitans formed much of the basis of modern Suffolk 

 excellence, and indeed some are of opinion that the Essex, Black Dor- 

 set and Black Suffolk are merely different strains of the same breed. 

 According to descriptions and portraits, it would seem that the Dorset 

 very closely resembles the Essex, but not so with the Black Suffolk, as 

 will be seen from the following 



DESCRIPTION AND CHARACTERISTICS. 



The head is short ; snout turned up, not quite so much as in the 

 Small Yorks, but yet showing much of similarity to that well-known breed. 

 The body is deep, with well-sprung ribs dropping to flattened sides, and 

 short, small-boned legs from bulging quarters. Their characteristics 

 may be summed up as follows: Early maturity, medium size, great ap- 

 titude to fatten, high dressing qualities, and a black color which with- 

 stands the effects of summer heat. 



We are not aware that any of the Black or English Suffolks are 

 bred in the United States. The breed might find some favor here, but 

 their white namesakes have become so well known and so widely dissem- 

 inated, that it would be well nigh impossible at this late day to change 

 the nomenclature of the breed. 



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