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

Ewart writes that the embargo on transporting sheep and cattle between England and Scotland will be lifted in a few days. He thinks he may get the use of one of the islands in the Forth for sheep that are too wild for fences. He asks whether Elwes knows the Ryeland breed of sheep, as it has been suggested that he should put some to the 'Siberian' ram.

Ewart writes that he will let Elwes know about the Ryelands ram. The cost of enclosing the sheep at the forthcoming Royal Highland Agricultural Show depends upon how many sheep Elwes is planning to exhibit; he should be able to cover the costs for the fencing by charging for the exhibition catalogue.

Ewart writes that the account for the sheep from Cheltenham has already been paid. He tells Elwes to make a note of anything interesting on his travels, and if Elwes is back by March they may meet at the Zoological Congress in Monte Carlo. He reports that Elwes' two fat-rumped sheep and a dozen more ewes seem to be in lamb to the fat-tailed ram, and that the cloth Elwes sent is much admired. Now that Ewart's lectures are over for the winter he hopes to get some writing done.

Elwes writes that he has looked over the ram and proposes to send it to Edinburgh Zoo or to Ewart if he wishes to have it, as well as the horned white ram that he bought as an Icelander. He wonders if the Edinburgh Museum would like to have his best old Hebridean. He describes the sheep crosses he is planning to conduct.

Letter is undated but marked 'Sunday'.

Elwes writes that he has just returned from Formosa and invites Ewart to visit him in time for the shearing of the ewes. He will also invite Lort and Bateson to settle which rams are to be kept for future experiments.

Elwes writes that some of his sheep have already been shorn owing to the prevalence of fly on them. He asks Ewart to confirm when he will be visiting, as he wishes to choose which ram lambs to keep as soon as possible. He would like to stay with Ewart and see the Shetland sheep at his friends' place on his way to Aberdeen.

Elwes writes that he has heard that the sheep at Greystoke will be transported once the restrictions in Peebles are lifted. He recommends that Ewart take a photograph of the Foula ewes while they are alive. He is buying some of Lort's Manx and Manx-Soay crosses, and a black bull with a broad white belt. He would like to put his fat-tailed ewes to Ewart's fat-tailed ram.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes will send his fat-tailed sheep to be served by Ewart's ram and could also send some 'so-called Siberian' sheep which he is buying. He asks Ewart to confirm when would be a suitable time for him to visit to see his Fairisle sheep, and to settle what crosses he will make to exhibit at Bristol. He mentions some brown and white sheep of an old Spanish breed belonging to Lady Campbell.

The year is not written on the letter.