Ewart thanks Elwes for the wool samples and the details about the Austrian Skemschaf. The four sheep have not yet arrived from Greystoke, but he doubts they are allowed into Scotland yet. Cowan is coming to see the Shetland ram from Fairisle and that he will use it with Elwes' ewes if it is judged to be better than Alexander's ram.

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.