Elwes writes that he will settle with the people of Shetland how many sheep to send and when. He also wants sheep from Fairisle and Foula. Balfour of Dawyck wants some sheep sent along with them, and Elwes asks Ewart if he knows of any place near Leith where the sheep could rest for a week en route. He writes that Wallace is hoping to get a grant to carry out cross-breeding experiments at the University and has suggested working together.

The letter is undated.

Elwes is sending Ewart the fleece of a Cheviot-Shetland cross from Shetland and that he will also receive a fleece of a first-prize shearling Welsh ewe. He is also enclosing photographs of sheep showing four generations and asks Ewart's advice on what would be the most interesting cross out of them. He asks when Ewart and Wallace are going to examine the wools.

Elwes asks Ewart to clarify to the funding body that although Elwes is working in collaboration with Ewart, he is not seeking a grant himself. He also asks him to check that the application does not clash with any application made by Wallace.

Elwes agrees with Ewart on Wallace's proposition concerning the Karakul sheep, and states that he has declined to sign the application unless it is considerably modified, with Ewart's original writing to be reinstated.

Elwes writes that he is sending Ewart his paper for him to check, and asks him to select some photographs after consulting Eagle Clarke. He is also returning the original application as altered by Wallace, and recommends that Ewart make contact with Carruthers.

Elwes writes that he has received a sample of wool and asks if the sheep is from Siberia. He is sorry to hear that Wallace is opposing Ewart.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes asks for Ewart's opinion on the Iceland skins and for him to return them. He has just received some new cloth and enquires whether Mrs Ewart or any of their friends would like some before he hands it over to the tailor to sell. Wallace has written that he has a fine ram from Russia which he is sending to a farm for the Scottish Board of Agriculture.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes writes that he has been helping Wallace with his account of Shetland-Soay sheep in his new edition of Farm Live Stock and expresses his distress at the difference of opinion between Wallace and Ewart. Elwes reports that Wallace is willing to make amends and offers to help in any way he can. He concludes by remarking on his failing health and offers Ewart a book from his library as a keepsake.

Illustration of a political map of South Africa between 1900 and 1914. The initials 'RW' are written on the edge of the slide.

Photograph of Professor [Robert] Wallace sitting on Easton's veranda with a dog in the early 20th century [British Columbia, Canada].