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Located in Roslin Institute Staff Papers 1994. Part 1.

Scope and Contents Barker asks Ewart to confirm what he wishes to do with the patterns that have been sent to him. He writes that he is enclosing two samples of cotton in the hope that Ewart might be able to get photomicrographs illustrating the special properties that the cottons possess. He wonders whether they should get photomicrographs for the report on Scotch wools which he wishes to see printed as soon as possible. He reports that Stordy has offered them some Merino rams bred in the Andes which he...

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Barker asks Ewart to advise him on the possibilities of using Blackface sheep to produce the several colours obtained in Herdwick. He assures Ewart that when they have finished with a large cloth order, they will proceed with the patterns selected by Mrs Ewart. He wonders whether the Research Association are not helping Ewart as much as they might.

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Lamont writes that she will forward a sample of the wool from the Blackface sheep belonging to her brother which was awarded the prize for 'best fleece manufacturing purposes' at the Dunoon Agricultural Society's show that year. She would be interested to hear what Ewart has to say about the wool.

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Elwes thanks Ewart for the draft of the application which he hopes to submit shortly. If Ewart can secure the grazing on the hill behind his farm, Elwes will send him 30 Shetland ewes. He will take the five sheep that are for sale for £9 and offers Ewart the Herdwick ram that Mr Howard of Greystoke is selling, if Ewart would like to try him with some Cheviot or Blackface ewes. He advises Ewart to get the printed results of experiments at the Cumberland Experimental Farm near Penrith.

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Elwes asks Ewart to reply to a letter concerning the old Wiltshire sheep. He reports that his ewes have just begun lambing and that Ewart's blackfaces are in the best condition of all. He has heard that the Indian sheep at 'the Zoo' are being cleared out to make room for the new rock work, and he suggests Ewart try to get them for Edinburgh Zoo.

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Elwes confirms the date of Ewart's visit and invites Mrs Ewart. He asks when Ewart proposes to send his blackfaced hoggs as he is not sure whether he wants to go on with them.

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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.

Scope and Contents Elwes writes that he has been invited to the Blackface Sheep Breeders' Association meeting in Perth. He does not think wild sheep could be used in the improvement of British wool. He is also doubtful whether a cross between a Blackface and Soay sheep would be able to withstand the climate of the West Highlands, or whether the lower quality of their meat and wool would render the experiment worthwhile. He believes the Blackface-Cheviot or Blackface-Shetland cross would be preferable and would...

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Campbell enquires how many pure Soay sheep Ewart is thinking of putting on Ailsa Craig and provides some information about the island. He thinks that Lord Ailsa would consent to 20 Soays without any reduction in the goats that are already there, and believes that the Soays would be better suited to the weather conditions than the Blackfaces, all of which died.