Suffolk  Sheep. 
69 
follows  that  this,  one  of  the  most  distinctive  features  of  the 
breed,  proves  to  be  associated  with  sheep  having  the  character 
of  good  mothers  and  milkers,  as  well  as  showing  them  to  be 
animals  which,  when  butchered,  cut  full  of  lean,  juicy  flesh  so 
desirable  on  the  table. 
Scale  of  Points. 
Published  by  the  Suffolk  Sheep  Society. 
Head. — Hornless : Face  black  and  long,  and  Muzzle 
moderately  fine  — especially  in  ewes.  (A  small 
quantity  of  clean  white  wool  on  the  forehead  not 
objected  to.)  Ears,  a medium  length,  black  and  fine 
texture.  Eyes,  bright  and  full  .....  25 
Neck. — Moderate  length  and  well  set  ....  5 
(In  Rams  stronger,  with  a good  crest.) 
Shoulder. — Broad  and  oblique 5 
Chest. — Deep  and  wide  .......  5 
Back  and  Loin. — Long,  level,  and  well  covered  with  meat 
and  muscle.  Tail  broad  and  well  set  up.  The  ribs 
long  and  well  sprung,  with  a full  flank  ...  20 
Legs  and  Feet. — Straight  and  black,  with  fine  and  flat 
bone.  Woolled  to  knees  and  hocks,  clean  below.  Fore 
legs  set  well  apart.  Hind  legs  well  filled  with 
mutton  . . . . . . . . .20 
Belly  (also  Scrotum  of  Rams). — Well  covered  with  wool  5 
Fleece. — Moderately  short  ; close,  fine  fibre,  without 
tendency  to  mat  or  felt  together,  and  well  defined, 
i.e.,  not  shading  off  into  dark  wool  or  hair  . . 10 
Skin. — Fine,  soft,  and  pink  colour  .....  5 
Total  ........  100 
As  the  above  “ Scale  of  Points  ” may  not  be  sufficiently 
detailed  for  those  readers  who  are  not  familiar  with  the  Suffolk 
sheep,  the  following  explanations  are  given,  in  the  hope  that 
they  may  prove  useful  : — 
The  Ram. — The  Suffolk  ram  should  have  a bold,  free 
carriage,  and  show  great  masculine  character  throughout.  The 
head,  covered  with  fine  glossy,  jet-black  hair,  which  should  on 
no  account  show  any  coarseness  in  texture,  should  be  distinctly 
aquiline  (or  Roman-nosed)  when  seen  in  profile.  The  ears, 
which  should  be  wide  apart  and  well-carried,  must  be  thin  and 
pliant  in  texture  and  on  no  account  large  enough  to  give  the 
head  an  ugly  appearance.  The  frontal  bones,  without  being 
too  prominent,  should  be  well-developed  and  clear  cut,  thus 
