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

Elwes writes that nearly all of his sheep have now lambed. He concludes that the Soay, Manx or Hebridean sheep are not worth keeping except for ornamental value, that the Welsh spotted and Shetland sheep are hardier and that the Cheviot lamb crosses are not as hardy as one would expect. Elwes wants a wool expert to report on his various sheep at clipping time. Next season he proposes to cross Herdwicks and Shetlands more largely and to get more of the spotted breed and some Wensleydales.

Elwes asks Ewart to confirm when they will meet to decide which sheep to show at Bristol, as he must shear his rams. He bought some sheep on Anglesey and asks whether Ewart would like a ram of the same breed.

Author's signature not present; letter may be incomplete.

Elwes confirms the date of Ewart's visit and invites Mrs Ewart. He asks when Ewart proposes to send his blackfaced hoggs as he is not sure whether he wants to go on with them.

Elwes asks Ewart to approve a short notice of their exhibit for insertion in press information. He believes it would be more interesting to show the Southdown-Soay cross and lamb instead of the Wensleydale.

Elwes thanks Ewart for his interesting paper and provides some suggested corrections. He asks for Ewart's help in revising some parts of his catalogue and confirms arrangements for transporting the ewes to Cheltenham.

Elwes writes that he wants some time with Ewart to go through his catalogue when they are both in London, and to make sure the choice of sheep are right for the forthcoming Royal Agricultural Show in Bristol.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes regrets that he will no longer have room for Ewart in the car to the Scottish Highlands, but he hopes to see him before the Royal Agricultural Show in July. He thinks his Shetland wether hoggs are not worth keeping another year for their wool alone, so they had better be sold for whatever they are worth. He is sending around 40 fleeces of many crosses to Bradford to be examined and valued.

The letter is undated, although marked 'Friday'.

Elwes provides some suggestions regarding the transportation of the sheep to Cheltenham from Edinburgh for the Royal Agricultural Show in Bristol. He will send Ewart details of the valuation of the wool for the guidance of Ewart's committee as to future crossing experiments.

Elwes writes confirming the arrangements for the reception and admittance of the sheep at Bristol, and asks Ewart to confirm what sheep he is to send back and what to keep.

The letter is undated, although marked 'Friday'.

Elwes reports that he has just returned from Bristol and that Ewart's sheep arrived safely. He recommends that they take a week's rest after the show before being sent back up to Edinburgh. He hopes that the King will see the sheep on Friday.

The letter is undated, though marked 'Tuesday night'.