University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Noble thanks Ewart for his letter and admits that he had overlooked the fact that no wild sheep have four horns. He is currently trying to breed rams with both pairs of horns turned down, but is having difficulty. He hopes Ewart will visit him when next in London.

Elwes writes that he has just returned from Formosa and invites Ewart to visit him in time for the shearing of the ewes. He will also invite Lort and Bateson to settle which rams are to be kept for future experiments.

Elwes writes that some of his sheep have already been shorn owing to the prevalence of fly on them. He asks Ewart to confirm when he will be visiting, as he wishes to choose which ram lambs to keep as soon as possible. He would like to stay with Ewart and see the Shetland sheep at his friends' place on his way to Aberdeen.

Elwes will send his fat-tailed sheep to be served by Ewart's ram and could also send some 'so-called Siberian' sheep which he is buying. He asks Ewart to confirm when would be a suitable time for him to visit to see his Fairisle sheep, and to settle what crosses he will make to exhibit at Bristol. He mentions some brown and white sheep of an old Spanish breed belonging to Lady Campbell.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes thanks Ewart and his wife for their hospitality. He asks Ewart to let him know when he can spare the ram, as he will need to buy some spotted ewes for him as well as keep his fat-tails, and does not want to be any later than 10th October.

The letter is undated.

Elwes asks Ewart to let him know when he can visit his sheep. He has shorn the rams but the brown Siberian will have to be killed as he has a cancerous growth on his jaw. He describes what sheep cross-breeding he intends to do and states that he must move the Wallachian sheep from Hungary.

The letter is undated.

Elwes asks Ewart to come and see him if he is going to visit Sir Claud Alexander. He asks Ewart to tell him if they can get a ram from the Faroes, and whether he can be admitted to Edinburgh during or after the war.

Elwes writes that he has enclosed a letter concerning Merino rams in Australia. He recommends the book 'Tutira, A History of New Zealand Sheep Farm' by Guthrie-Smith and confirms visiting arrangements for Ewart and his wife.

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.