University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Ewart writes that the account for the sheep from Cheltenham has already been paid. He tells Elwes to make a note of anything interesting on his travels, and if Elwes is back by March they may meet at the Zoological Congress in Monte Carlo. He reports that Elwes' two fat-rumped sheep and a dozen more ewes seem to be in lamb to the fat-tailed ram, and that the cloth Elwes sent is much admired. Now that Ewart's lectures are over for the winter he hopes to get some writing done.

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.

Barker asks Ewart to advise him on the possibilities of using Blackface sheep to produce the several colours obtained in Herdwick. He assures Ewart that when they have finished with a large cloth order, they will proceed with the patterns selected by Mrs Ewart. He wonders whether the Research Association are not helping Ewart as much as they might.

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.

Elwes says he will research some more about African sheep. Sanderson has told him that the first prize Shetland fleece at the Mid Yell Show is too fine for making good weaving material in cloth, and recommends that they stick to the Moorit colour.

Elwes asks for Ewart's opinion on the Iceland skins and for him to return them. He has just received some new cloth and enquires whether Mrs Ewart or any of their friends would like some before he hands it over to the tailor to sell. Wallace has written that he has a fine ram from Russia which he is sending to a farm for the Scottish Board of Agriculture.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes writes that the Zoological Society no longer wishes to keep his three-year old Soay ram, and he wonders whether the Edinburgh Zoological Society might like him. He asks whether Ewart knows of anyone who will make him cloth made from Moorit wool.

Located in A.B.R.O. Reprints 1975. Volume 9 of 19.