Letter received by Banks from Thomas Andrew Knight, 29 December1804 (Series 72.104) - No. 0004

[Page 4]

progeny, but I have found that better formed animals & indeed better Fleeces may be obtained by crossing the best half bred ram with the best half bred Ewe than can be obtained from the Spanish ram in the first Instance.  I however bred four years from the Spaniard before I lent him to my neighbours.

My Brother is at present from home, & I can not procure a Cover, or I would send you a sample of wool of my second or 3d Crop some of which is little inferior to the true Spanish & some of the sheep are nearly as handsome & which is more material as [indecipherable] as the Ryeland.  I send this by the post to inform you that my paper goes with it.  

I am, my dear Sir,
Your much obliged servt.

Thos. Edw. Knight

Rt. Hon. Sir Josh. Banks, Bart, K.B.
Soho Square
London

I return you a great many thanks for your excellent delineation of the cause of Blight & shall be highly gratified by the [indecipherable] new Information you promise me.

Mr. A. Knight

Decr. 31, 04