Elwes writes that he has bought some sheep from Claud Alexander, and that he will keep the sheep on Ewart's account on his estate until Ewart wants them. He suggests that it would be preferable if Ewart's fat-tailed ram would be sent to himself, and asks whether he received the Shetlands from Greystoke. He thinks he had now better not come to Dundee as he wishes to superintend the earmarking of his new sheep.

The year is not written on the letter.

Alexander is relieved that Elwes enjoyed inspecting his sheep, although he considers Elwes' aim of trying to manufacture a breed of sheep with the hardiness of Welsh and the size and fleece of Lincoln longwools to be an impossibility. He reports the birth of a fat-tailed ram lamb out of his best ewe. Ewart should treat Mr [Guracy?]'s letter with caution, as he is an untrained observer and Alexander has known him to make errors.

Alexander writes that he has not got another Przewalski's horse so far and the mares are not in foal. He has informed Colonel Oliphant of this. He is disappointed at his cross-bred lambs but the Africans and the fat tails are better. He asks whether Ewart has got permission from the Board of Agriculture to use his fat-tailed ram.

Alexander reports that his pregnant mare has died. He asks whether Ewart would like to take on all of his fat-rumped ewes for £10. He has a donkey very near foaling by the mule 'Jacob', which proves that he can still get stock. He states that can give Ewart the breeding of the sheep if he saw them.