THE MUTTON BREEDS OF SHEEP 343 
SuFFOLK Down Sueep. Fig. 67. 
By David McCrae 
403. Suffolk sheep get their name from the county of 
Suffolk, England, where the breed was originally developed. 
They are a short-wooled mutton breed. 
404. History in England. — The Suffolk is the modern 
representative of the old Norfolk breed, crossed with 
the Southdown. In some respects, the old Norfolk 
breed resembled the Black-faced Highland, having 
the same colored face and legs, with full bone, long 
spiral horns, long body, flat ribs, and rather narrow 
loins. It differed from the latter in having very fine 
short wool. The mutton was of that fine, rich flavor 
that is found in many semi-wild animals. The great 
value of the old breed was its mutton, which, when 
long kept, more closely resembled venison than that of 
any other breed. 
The Suffolk is the result of a cross between this old 
Norfolk breed and the Southdown, and shows what very 
important results may be achieved by able and enterprising 
breeders. The modern Suffolk is a conspicuous example of 
remarkable success in cross-breeding. By careful selection 
and management, the horns have disappeared. The 
Suffolk possesses excellent grazing qualities, and yields 
a carcass of lean, well-flavored mutton. Separate classes 
were first made for this breed at the Suffolk show in 1859, 
but it was not recognized by the Royal Agricultural Society 
until 1886. 
405. History in America. — The Suffolk may be con- 
sidered a recent introduction to America. In 1888, sheep 
of this breed were brought both to Canada and to the 
