Scope and Contents Elwes writes that he has seen Bateson in London, who is of the opinion that the pure breeds of domestic animals, including crosses selected by experts, should be represented at the British Museum gallery and that he would be happy to sign a letter to the Trustees if Ewart drafts one. He would like to see a sample of the wool from Ewart's 'so-called Siberian sheep', which Sanderson says is valuable, and enquires about the country of origin and quarantine arrangements for Lord Bute's long...

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Elwes states that he is sorry Lord Bute won't let the ram go, but Elwes will send Ewart some of his own sheep as soon as they are allowed to enter Scotland. He describes some of the cross-breeding he has carried out using his Western ram lamb.

The year is not written on the letter.

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Elwes enquires whether Ewart thinks it worthwhile to import any sheep from the Faroes, and if so, could Lord Bute or Cowan take them, as he has no room. He refers to a letter from a Mrs Taylor which mentions crossing a fox-coloured ram with a black ewe. He reports that Ewart's Blackfaces are the most profitable of his sheep so far, except for their wool. He will be selling the remainder of Ewart's hoggs.

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Crichton-Stuart, who signs himself 'Bute', thanks Ewart for his recent hospitality and writes that he would like to acquire three score Shetland ewes. He suggests that the ewes might be sent to Ewart's farm to be served by his Siberian ram before being sent to the Isle of Bute. He also offers to buy Ewart's Chillingham bull.

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Crichton-Stuart, who signs himself 'Bute', confirms that the sheep have arrived safely on the Isle of Bute and seem healthy. He comments that two sheep appear longer than the others, and he wonders whether these could be crosses with the Siberian from Ewart's farm or perhaps twins from Shetland.

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Crichton-Stuart reports that the Shetland-Siberian sheep are doing well. About half of this year's lambs have the long wool and he proposes keeping one ram. As the breeding season is approaching he suggests meeting with Ewart in Edinburgh to discuss arrangements.

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Crichton-Stuart thanks Ewart for the book on the Shetland pony and the report on different wools. He believes the intermediate ram with the dark coloured wool is the type to breed to. He will send Ewart the curly ram along with the other Siberian animals.

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Crichton-Stuart writes that his grieve is anxious to get the Siberian ram as soon as possible, as the ewes will come into season any time soon.

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Crichton-Stuart, who signs himself 'Bute', would be happy to let Ewart and Elwes see his sheep but they are in a bad condition, partly to the mismanagement of his grieve.

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Crichton-Stuart, who signs himself 'Bute', thanks Ewart for the offer of the pony, but he is sorry that he cannot accept it as he is too busy. His cross-bred Shetlands are going on well and he looks forward to hearing what Ewart's fat-tailed sheep produce in May.