Animals--Colour

Elwes writes that he has looked over the ram and proposes to send it to Edinburgh Zoo or to Ewart if he wishes to have it, as well as the horned white ram that he bought as an Icelander. He wonders if the Edinburgh Museum would like to have his best old Hebridean. He describes the sheep crosses he is planning to conduct.

Letter is undated but marked 'Sunday'.

Elwes mentions an interesting breed of sheep called 'Neerie sheep' he has heard of from Harvie-Brown, as well as another breed, 'dun-faced sheep', which he has read about. He will write to Switzerland for information on a race of Swiss sheep which appears to resemble the Soay sheep and may be a direct descendent of a primeval Swiss breed.

Elwes writes that he is enclosing a letter from Heatley Noble about the pied sheep (letter not present) of which he showed Ewart photographs and remarks on the interesting point he makes about the crosses always coming out black. If this can be verified, Elwes will get his tup from the Shetland flock to cross with him on other breeds. He also provides a list of crosses he proposes to make and asks for Ewart's advice.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes writes that he has heard that the sheep at Greystoke will be transported once the restrictions in Peebles are lifted. He recommends that Ewart take a photograph of the Foula ewes while they are alive. He is buying some of Lort's Manx and Manx-Soay crosses, and a black bull with a broad white belt. He would like to put his fat-tailed ewes to Ewart's fat-tailed ram.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes says he will research some more about African sheep. Sanderson has told him that the first prize Shetland fleece at the Mid Yell Show is too fine for making good weaving material in cloth, and recommends that they stick to the Moorit colour.

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 writes concerning the restrictions on his sheep leaving England to be tupped, and urgently asks when Ewart can send his fat-tailed ram. He also enquires whether Ewart thinks a curly lamb could be produced by crossing a Wensleydale with a white Shetland sheep.

The year is not written on the letter.

Elwes makes arrangements for visiting Ewart after his trip to Yorkshire. He thinks that he will soon discard the Hebridean and spotted breeds and confine himself to brown Shetlands which he will cross with Manx, Black Welsh and White Cheviots crossed with Norfolk. He also plans to try some Exmoors this year, which thrive well on Salisbury Plain. He asks whether Ewart or Cowan have any Shetland sheep arriving that year.

The year is not written on the letter.

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 enquires whether Ewart thinks it worthwhile to import any sheep from the Faroes, and if so, could Lord Bute or Cowan take them, as he has no room. He refers to a letter from a Mrs Taylor which mentions crossing a fox-coloured ram with a black ewe. He reports that Ewart's Blackfaces are the most profitable of his sheep so far, except for their wool. He will be selling the remainder of Ewart's hoggs.