Cross-Breeding

Martin advises Ewart that his notion of keeping a farm at Crosswoodburn is impractical for financial reasons. He says he is glad that 'the two hybrids' have gone to Mountain Batteries as he hopes it may lead to them being bred in India. He also mentions that Ewart 'should get a big price for 'Romulus' (Ewart's first zebra hybrid) now as he is a hybrid with a past'. He encourages Ewart to publicise his findings from his hare-rabbit cross-breeding.

Vale writes concerning the correspondence between the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Department of Agriculture, New Zealand on the subject of the improvement of British wool. From his research he recommends the Corriedale sheep as the best to crossbreed with to ensure an increased weight in fleece without impairing the mutton value.

White writes that he is only too pleased for Ewart to make use of any results he has obtained. He would be glad if Ewart could get him one of the Peru Merino sheep, as he believes it would make a good cross for white wool.

The latter part of the letter is not present.

Home-Drummond-Moray provides some information about the 'Barbary' sheep at Abercanny, which he has experience of crossing with other breeds.

Byrne reports that there is no progress concerning the Connemara ponies and that the 'Department' in Ireland are sending Hackney and Welsh cobs despite the fact that crossing a Hackney with a Connemara pony was a failure. He enquires after the 'new arrangement' between the University of Edinburgh and the Royal (Dick) Veterinary College.

Johnson asks Ewart to send him any information on his work cross-breeding zebras with other animals for the Orange Judd publishing company's forthcoming Cyclopedia of Live Stock.

Laidlaw suggests why the Shire and Clydesdale horses have so many white markings. They may breed with cattle whilst the mares are in season. He states that not so many white markings in the cart horse are found in the West and North of Scotland and details further examples of cases of unusual markings on different varieties of horse.

Rider thanks Ewart for the letter and books and states that he will shortly send Ewart photographs of two Holstein-Jersey cross-bred heifers and a tail-less calf. He is interested in beginning experiments with Siberian sheep and hopes to be able to exchange ram lambs with Ewart. He wonders whether the Agricultural Society of Scotland would be willing to send some livestock reports to Syracuse University.

Mackay writes regarding the cross-breeding experiments conducted by Sir Keith Fraser with llamas, sheep and goats on his Inverinate Estate in Kintail.