University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

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Ewart writes that he is sending Douglas another paper on the development of the horse, but that he will require financial help to continue with the work. He supposes that the Development Commissioners are not worth approaching, but asks Douglas to consider the matter favourably.

Scope and Contents Ewart writes that the examination of the skulls from the Roman fort near Melrose has proved that horses representing four distinct varieties or species were living under domestication during the first century. The Zoology Board of the Royal Society Government Grant Committee have started an investigation to ascertain the origins of various species of horse by examining bones and cross-breeding. Ewart requests Russell's financial help with meeting the costs of this investigation....

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Balfour expresses her hope that the Highland and Agricultural Society gives him a grant to continue his experiments and thanks Ewart for accepting her financial assistance. She goes on to discuss the 'infection' of telegony and the positioning of animal markings and gradations in colour on zebras and horses.

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Cannington informs Ewart that the Development Commissioners are prepared to recommend that £40,000 annual grant be made for the encouragement of light horse breeding in Great Britain. He requests that Ewart serve on the Advisory Council of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries and outlines their proposals for use of the money, namely as the payment of premiums to stallion owners.

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Parry writes on behalf of Arthur James Balfour regarding a sum of £500 that is being made available to him to help with his scientific work on the development of the horse.

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Russell, who signs himself 'Bedford', writes that he would be happy to contribute £100 towards the cost of the investigation into the origin of the horse.

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Russell, who signs himself 'Bedford', writes that he is enclosing the cheque for £100 and that he hopes Ewart will succeed in proving that the present horse had more than one wild ancestor.

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Forsyth states that he is replying to both Ewart's official and private letters, and that he is forwarding his official letter on to Arthur Cecil (possibly relating to an application for funding). Forsyth states that he believes the 'Widow' should be served by Ewart's stallion, but acknowledges that others may have different opinions.

Scope and Contents Wilson provides some notes on the '1,000 gallon' cow, remarking that most breeds have the milk but few have the fat and that the 'pedigree fetish' currently restricts much crossing of breeds. He remarks that this line of work could have a claim on the Development Commission, to which Ewart could add 'the horse question': namely, to breed a horse that can do farm work and produce an army service corps horse when crossed by a thoroughbred. He does not believe that the Development Commissioners...

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Lort-Phillips provides comments on Ewart's treatise on 'eugenics and the breeding of light horses', which suggests ways in which funding from the Board of Agriculture should be used to approach such a scheme of breeding.