Scope and Contents

Ewart describes the three ponies that he will send off to Woburn shortly. He states that the main questions relating to the origin of the domestic breeds of the horse will be settled if one of these mares has a foal to one of Russell's Przewalski's stallions. He states that unfortunately his Przewalski's mare is not in foal.

The latter part of the letter, including author's signature, is not present.

Scope and Contents

Oliphant asks on behalf of the Duke of Bedford whether Ewart wishes to have the female foal out of the Przewalski's mare sent to Woburn in the summer. He remarks that the animal has interestingly taken after the sire rather than showing dominant Przewalski's characteristics.

Scope and Contents Oliphant asks if Ewart himself can't manage to carry ouy the experiment with the female foal out of the Przewalski's mare by the Highland pony and a hybrid male by a Przewalski's stallion out of a pony mare, as space is getting cramped at Woburn. He reports that they are going through with the experiment crossing Nepalese unicorn sheep with Southdown sheep, and they propose to do a similar experiment with Grevy's zebras and French Giant donkeys. The Duke of Bedford also asks Ewart's advice...

Scope and Contents

Oliphant writes that he will send the Przewalski's mare and foal to Ewart after Easter and confirms the travel arrangements. He also states that if the mare's next foal is a female, it will be sent to Woburn.

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Oliphant writes that the Duke of Bedford has consented to take the Przewalski's mare and hybrid foal back to Woburn at the request of Mrs Collier, whose husband was in charge of the matter. Oliphant asks Ewart to resolve the issue, as the mare is his property.

Scope and Contents

Oliphant reminds Ewart that the matter of the Przewalski's mare and hybrid foal was between Ewart and Mr Collier at the stud farm and that the Duke of Bedford has only agreed to keep them at Woburn as a favour owing to Mr Collier's illness.

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Oliphant reports that the Duke of Bedford will gladly send a young stallion along with the Przewalski's mare and the hybrid filly, on the understanding that the Woburn estate gets the first-born Przewalski's filly foal.