CHAPTER XXXI 



THE SUSSEX 



The native home of Sussex cattle is in the county of Sussex, 

 bordering the English Channel in south England, though they are 

 also bred in the adjoining counties of Kent, Surrey, and Hamp- 

 shire. The land is tenacious and clayey and more or less rolling, 

 the famous Southdown hills passing through the southern part. 

 The climate is mild and the grazing superior. 



The origin of Sussex cattle is associated with that of the 

 Devon and Hereford, dating back several centuries. These 

 cattle were formerly bred for draft purposes and were largely 

 used to cultivate the soil on the farms of Sussex and Kent. 

 In early days the Sussex much resembled the larger cattle of 

 north Devon. 



The introduction of Sussex cattle to America first took place 

 in 1884, when Mr. Overton Lea imported a considerable herd, 

 which he has since maintained near Nashville, Tennessee. In 

 1891 several head were imported to Canada for the Agricultural 

 College at Guelph, though perhaps others preceded them into 

 that region. 



The characteristics of Sussex cattle. The color is a solid red, 

 a moderately deep shade being preferred. The horns incline to 

 be large and long, curving around in front, often inclining down- 

 ward slightly. The nose is of flesh color. The/<?rw is essentially 

 blocky, the ribs being well sprung and long, and the body capa- 

 cious. The rump is long, level, and broad, and the thighs of a 

 distinctly thick, beefy sort. The skin is mellow and thick and 

 is often covered with a thick coat of hair which in winter is 

 frequently curly. Compared with Devons they present more 

 size and general beefiness, do not tend to the dual-purpose 

 type, give less milk, have heavier horns, thicker necks, deeper 

 shoulders, and are coarser appearing. 



234 



