Sheep

Elwes writes that he thinks the second application better than the first and provides details about the transport of some sheep. He also writes that he is enclosing a cheque for £9 to pay for the sheep he is buying from Ewart.

The letter is undated, although marked 'Sunday', which seems to place it around 24 September 1911 (ie the Sunday following Elwes' letter of the 20th September, where he mentions wishing to buy the sheep).

Elwes asks for feedback on his notes on Ewart's sheep, which he intends to publish. He stresses the importance of photographing the sheep, as well as taking the measurements of the weights and lengths of the fleeces. He will send the black ram lamb to Ewart shortly.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes corrects the information he had provided in a previous letter about his visit to Sanderson. He states that he does not want Mr Cowan's ram lamb this year and instructs Ewart to keep him until he is a shearling and makes arrangements for the transportation of some sheep.

Elwes recommends that Ewart write to the Jardins des Plantes for the carcass of one of the chabin (a goat/sheep hybrid) to ascertain whether or not it is a hybrid, and that someone should inspect and sketch their sheep specimens before they decay much further. He has heard of the existence of a black-faced heath sheep with long curved horns still existing in North Holland which could be related to the old Norfolk sheep.

Elwes writes that he will read Ewart's lecture on the origin of domesic animals with great interest. He has asked for some photographs of sheep skulls in the Museum at Cambridge. He reports that he has received a letter from Hudson Beare asking Elwes' opinion of Ewart's farm at Fairslacks, as someone has objected to it being too high and cold.

Elwes instruct Ewart to send the ewe hoggs to Cheltenham. He enquires whether Ewart would like to have the sheep mentioned in Robertson's letter, as he would like a photograph of them. This letter is undated.

Robertson's letter to Elwes, dated 15 June 1911, states that he will be able to procure a ram and ewe from North Ronaldsay.

Elwes writes on 22 June 1911 that he will order the Ronaldsay sheep for Ewart. He hopes that Ewart will compare the fleece of 'Murrat' ewe mentioned by H.C Stephens with Cowan's fleeces. Elwes is hoping to get Ewart a fleece of purebred Ryeland, which he believes makes a good cross with the Welsh sheep.

The letter from H.C Stephens, dated 19 June 1911, informs Elwes that he will send him the 'Murrat' ewes shortly, and confirms that he has sent the fleece to Ewart.

Wood provides details of the two grants paid by the Board for the maintenance of sheep at Fairslacks and states that no further grant has been made.

Ewart's reply, dated 18 October 1916, requests Wood to supply him with the amounts paid between February and May 1914 and May and August 1914, which will allow him to make an appeal to the Factor to complete his statement.

Crichton-Stuart, who signs himself 'Bute', confirms that the sheep have arrived safely on the Isle of Bute and seem healthy. He comments that two sheep appear longer than the others, and he wonders whether these could be crosses with the Siberian from Ewart's farm or perhaps twins from Shetland.

Crichton-Stuart, who signs himself 'Bute', would be happy to let Ewart and Elwes see his sheep but they are in a bad condition, partly to the mismanagement of his grieve.