THE SUFFOLK PUNCH, ^ 



Id fact, the characteristics of the Suffolk are all those of 

 utility as opposed to show. He is peculiar to the Saxon coun- 

 ties of old England, and is pretty nearly to the horse what the 

 Saxon man is to the human race at large — a shortish, thick-set, 

 square-built, stumpy, sturdy individual, with a good many ster- 

 ling, solid qualities, and a plentiful lack of graces and amenities ; 

 he is stout of body, but slow to move, and when moved, yet 

 slower to desist from motion ; persevering, of indomitable will, 

 iron resolution and determined obstinacy, not far removed from 

 stubbornness ; but of little spirit, and less fire. He Avas a useful 

 cart-liorse and excellent for teaming ; but, in proportion as rail- 

 roads and locomotives have superseded vans and wagons for the 

 transjDortation of heavy merchandise and slow passengers, ex- 

 cept in cities, the Suffolk Punch has made way for quicker 

 travelling and lighter, if not more honest, or intrinsically valua- 

 ble animals. 



"The present breed," Mr. Touatt continues, "possesses 

 many of the peculiarities and good qualities of its ancestors. It 

 is more or less inclined to a sorrel color ; it is a taller horse ; 

 higher and finer in the shoulders ; and is a cross of the York- 

 shire half or three-quarters bred horse. 



" The excellence and a rare one of the old Suffolk — and the 

 new breed has not quite lost it — consisted in nimbleness of ac- 

 tion, and the honesty and continuance with which he would 

 exert himself at a dead pulL Many a good draught horse 

 knows well what he can effect ; and after he has attempted and 

 failed, no torture of the whip will induce him to strain his 

 powers beyond their natural extent. The Suffolk, however, 

 would tug at a dead pull until he dropped. It was beautiful to 

 see a team of true Suffolks, at a signal from the driver, and 

 without the whip, down on their knees in a moment and drag 

 every thing before them. Brutal wagers were frequently laid 

 as to their power in this respect, and many a good team was 

 injured and ruined. The immense power of the Suffolk is ac- 

 counted for by the low position of his shoulder, which enables 

 him to throw so much weight into the collar. 



" Although the Punch is not what he was, and the Suffolk 

 and !N"orfo]k farmer can no longer boast of ploughing more 



