Elwes, Henry John, 1846-1922 (traveller and botanist)

Elwes is sending Ewart samples of Iceland wool which he would like him to compare them with Cowan's. He judges it to be less fine than the Shetland and not as long as the white wool. He also lists the names of the recipients of the circular he has sent.

Elwes asks for feedback on his notes on Ewart's sheep, which he intends to publish. He stresses the importance of photographing the sheep, as well as taking the measurements of the weights and lengths of the fleeces. He will send the black ram lamb to Ewart shortly.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes asks Ewart what the Ronaldsay sheep were like, and whether Eagle Clark is back from St Kilda yet. He reports that they have an acknowledgement of their application from the Board of Agriculture. He also mentions that he will be visiting the wool manufacturer Sanderson.

Letter is undated, although marked 'Sunday', which appears to place it around 8th October (ie the Sunday before the following letter, Coll-14/9/17/65).

Elwes thanks Ewart for the report, and requests that Watson returns the fleeces to him at once as he wants to show them to a cloth manufacturer as well as to Bateson, who will be visiting. He will send Ewart his Norfolk rams if he wants to try crossing them with some Cheviots. He has received few answers to the circular, and complains of 'the apathy of the average English landowner'.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes writes on 22 June 1911 that he will order the Ronaldsay sheep for Ewart. He hopes that Ewart will compare the fleece of 'Murrat' ewe mentioned by H.C Stephens with Cowan's fleeces. Elwes is hoping to get Ewart a fleece of purebred Ryeland, which he believes makes a good cross with the Welsh sheep.

The letter from H.C Stephens, dated 19 June 1911, informs Elwes that he will send him the 'Murrat' ewes shortly, and confirms that he has sent the fleece to Ewart.