From Robert Elliot to George Cupples   25 June 1869

Dear Sir

I am in receipt of yours of the 23^rd. Ins^t. to get the exact number of Lambs born on large Hill farms is impossible, the numbers can only be taken at the time of Castration.— I have kept no record of the numbers, but as I mentioned to you previously, I have obtained the exact numbers annually, and have found as near as possible that they are equal on the average, that is equal for all practical purposes, I cannot speak to one or two per cent.¹ I know no one likely to have kept a record of the numbers at Castration time, the numbers are taken accurately at Weaning time & some may have retained a record I have not.— I am only told the numbers for what number of females I keep and keep all the males.—

This year I have 11 Female Calfs and 4 males, last year I had a few more males than females. I may mention that our ratcatcher says that there are 5 male rats for each female, and that he has found that to be the case in all rat nests he has found with young ones in them, thinking this extraordinary I have examined all old ones killed, some hundreds, since he said so, and have found that they were chiefly males.—²

I am | Dear Sir | Yours truly | Robert Elliot

George Cupples Esq

The Cottage | Guard Bridge | Fifeshire