Hybrids

Crichton-Stuart reports that the Shetland-Siberian sheep are doing well. About half of this year's lambs have the long wool and he proposes keeping one ram. As the breeding season is approaching he suggests meeting with Ewart in Edinburgh to discuss arrangements.

Crichton-Stuart, who signs himself 'Bute', thanks Ewart for the offer of the pony, but he is sorry that he cannot accept it as he is too busy. His cross-bred Shetlands are going on well and he looks forward to hearing what Ewart's fat-tailed sheep produce in May.

Crichton-Stuart, who signs himself 'Bute', writes that he was interested to hear of the results of Ewart's experiments with the crossbred fat-tailed sheep, and that he will look forward to reading Ewart's paper on the subject after the war. He asks Ewart whether the experiments have tended to strengthen Mendel's theories or not. He wishes he could be in Edinburgh but his military duties keep him in North Wales.

Lort-Phillips complains about the situation with the 'Standing Committee' and the Hunters Improvement Society, namely their decision to use half-bred horses for breeding.

Wilson writes regarding his enquiry about prepotency in transmitting likeness in the pollen parent. He urges caution in concluding this to be the rule as he has some hybrids which illustrate the contrary.

Griffiths writes that the letter Ewart sent to the meeting of veterinary surgeons was very useful and makes some observations regarding horse breeding.

The photograph depicts a man and a horse, labelled a Red Buck Martinet, outside some stable doors.

Campbell writes that she and her husband are willing to donate the goose-swan hybrid to the Edinburgh Zoological Society and that she will wire the Secretary once it has been captured and brought to the Gardens. She invites Ewart to visit them at Garscube to see the birds on the river.

Cecil writes that he hopes Lord Middleton will buy 'McNeil' as he would suit his mares at Applecross and describes the Middletons' tour around the West Highlands of Scotland to view the crofters' ponies. He reports that a half-Welsh, half-Hackney horse cross has provided successful at Baron Schroder's in Strathcarron and at Guisachan. He is surprised to learn that none of the crossbred ponies are fetching a higher price in the market than the old crofters' breed of ponies.

Cecil thanks Ewart for 'the photo of Mulatto and Romulus' (Ewart's first zebra/horse hybrid and dam) and mentions that the Scottish Farmer should be sending 'Reid of Wishaw' (Charles Reid, the photographer). Cecil suggests that Reid should photograph Ewart's various animals (zebra, mule, donkey as well as Mulatto and Romulus) to highlight the differences in stripes between father and son, and the absence of stripes in the non-hybrid animals.

Cecil outlines details of a dun-coloured mare that he has just purchased, with a chestnut stripe down its back. He also mentions some hybrids that he is hoping to transport to India.