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Cecil describes the estimate he has provided to the Congested Districts Board as to the price of the studs and horses intended for cross-breeding with the crofters' animals.

Scope and Contents Cecil is puzzled that Ewart mixed Spanish and horse blood and produced a Celtic pony, as he would have thought the mix would have produced the Island pony. He reports that Ritchie is annoyed that his neighbours prefer to use a crofters' pony to the Arab breed. He has written to Forsyth asking him to let the pony 'Atholl' to stand at the head of the Monkstadt stud (the experimental farm of the Congested Districts Board) on the Isle of Skye. He writes that he saw the best Highland ponies he...

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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.

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Cecil writes that since he has not heard from Lord Middleton, he will send his pony 'McNeil' to Croall's. He reports that the crofters usually buy their ponies from each other but they are complaining that they are being bred too light of bone for heavy work.

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Pipon encourages Ewart to forward his letter to the Congested Districts Board. He feels sure that if the Government can help the crofters, the result will be of advantage to both the Army and the crofters.

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Ainsworth writes that he will gladly help with the opportunity for pony breeding that has arisen in relation to the Committee set up by the Selkirk office to report on how far the Congested Districts Board can promote improved agriculture amongst crofters. He suggests that Ewart give evidence before this committee and is glad that the original report is being revised.

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The letter requests more detailed particulars about Lord Cecil's pony than Ewart previously provided. The purchasers intend to cross the stallion with Shetland mares to produce a reliable carting and ploughing pony for crofters.

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Note about how crofters' daughters are dressed remarking that they are 'as becomingly dressed as the average young lady in Princes St[reet]' [Edinburgh].

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The notes chiefly consist of quotations from newspaper reports relating to the introduction of 'new blood' into the crofters' ponies by the Congested Districts Board in a bid to improve the native stock.

Scope and Contents Story about the ownership of a croft near St Moluag's Church [Lios Mòr/Lismore, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire]. The remains of the building are behind the church and belonged to a crofter who also had a croft 'above on Druim na bithe' which he held from Fear Thirphuir [Laird of Tirefour]. As the lands were not adjacent, the crofter had to trespass in order to move his cows from one piece of land to the next, on doing this via 'Taighanlochain & into the Port char[rain]' [Taigh an...