Animal sale

Alexander writes that he doesn't have very many old sheep but plenty of piebalds and shearling rams for 30 shillings each as well as a black ewe which interested Elwes. He asks Ewart to let him know which sheep he wants as he must send all his spare stock to market due to the drought.

Alexander writes that he cannot afford to buy Ewart's clouded leopard but that Ewart should not let her go too cheaply. He offers his young Mysore bull to Ewart's Celtic shorthorn, and will try to get a photograph of the hybrid and provides details about piebald lambs.

Alexander makes arrangements for meeting Ewart and states that his zebra bull will be at Ewart's service if there is a decent summer. He has two white bulls for sale, and complains that Elwes will not return his sheep crates.

Alexander asks whether Ewart still wants to purchase some sheep from him, and makes suggestions for shipping arrangements.

Alexander reports that he has inspected Ewart's leopard at the Zoo and that it seems in good health. He asks Ewart to notify him if he is planning to sell her and comments that he has found a remnant of the Chartley cattle herd.

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.

Gordon hopes that the ewe and spotted lamb arrived safely in Leith. He provides details about the price his lambs fetched in Aberdeen. He writes that he is going on with the excavation of the Brough and has found some stone implements as well as the bones of horses, cattle and sheep, which he offers to send to Ewart for investigation.

Gordon writes that he would like to purchase a pure Siberian ram from Ewart, his last one having died through fighting. He suggests that Ewart makes enquiries concerning the transportation of the ram by steamer from Leith to Shetland. He reports that he has got an excellent crop of Shetland lambs and offers to send Ewart any that may be of interest.

Gordon writes that unfortunately nobody in the district is selling a Shetland heifer in calf, but that he would be willing to put an advertisement in the Shetland News for Ewart. He reports that he doesn't have any crosses between Blackface tups and Moorit ewes, but that he will set aside any long-woolled Moorits he comes across for Ewart. He also offers to send him a white pure Shetland tup lamb with three horns.

Contains personal diaries, notes relating to animal maintenance, breeding and selling breeding, a visitors' book and address books. Some items are undated.