From James Oliver to George Cupples   3 July 1869

Sir

I have been from home for the last three weeks on account of my health, and only came home this afternoon, when I found yours of the 29 ult. awaiting me.

I have now had considerable experience in the breeding and rearing of Cheviot Sheep but in a hill country only, where it is impossible to tell the number of either of the sexes when lambed, or born as few of them require any assistance and we never have them in hand until the time of castration, however I do not think there can be much difference in the number of either of the sexes when lambed, but if the lambing season is cold and wet the male sex are more liable to die from having a greater tendency to a stoppage of the urine—¹ My numbers this season at the time of castration were male 826 female 864

I remain Sir | Your obed^t. servant | Ja^s. Oliver

George Cupples Esq^re.