University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

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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.

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Cockayne writes that he is conducting some research into the structure of New Zealand wool, which is arousing interest among local sheep breeders. He asks Ewart to send him some samples of the 27 English wools being experimented with at Leeds and to advise him on some publications dealing with wool fibre. He makes some remarks on his findings so far.

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Le Souef asks Ewart to procure some photographs of hybrid 'Psoa' sheep and a typical sample of wool from Gillespie. Some pastoralists have expressed an interest in the wool from these sheep as it may make a better tweed-like cloth when mixed with Merino. He reports that he has worked out a scheme which he hopes will lead to the production of many quality skins from colder districts.

Scope and Contents Barker asks Ewart to confirm what he wishes to do with the patterns that have been sent to him. He writes that he is enclosing two samples of cotton in the hope that Ewart might be able to get photomicrographs illustrating the special properties that the cottons possess. He wonders whether they should get photomicrographs for the report on Scotch wools which he wishes to see printed as soon as possible. He reports that Stordy has offered them some Merino rams bred in the Andes which he...

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Barker writes that he finds it impossible to get up to Scotland. He hopes that the Research Association is getting good photographs of the parent sheep to contrast with the crossbred sheep, as well as samples of wool illustrating the rate of growth.

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Sanderson writes that he has had to close the mill due to a coal shortage, but he will send Ewart some cloth samples shortly. He is also sending him a sample of Alpaca wool showing the different colours and enquires whether Ewart will give a lecture on sheep to his Technical School students.

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Elwes is sending Ewart samples of Iceland wool which he would like him to compare them with Cowan's. He judges it to be less fine than the Shetland and not as long as the white wool. He also lists the names of the recipients of the circular he has sent.

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 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.

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Elwes writes that he is ready to send his four fat-tailed ewes to Ewart, and that he is also sending some wool samples from Colonel Powney's sheep. He also encloses a letter concerning sheep which may be the Swiss Bundtner, and recommends that Ewart write to the Austrian Ministry of Agriculture to enquire where the Karakul sheep are to be seen.