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Show 30 COMMISSIOXER INDlAN AFFAIRS. The policy of utilizing Indian school farms at the various reserva-tions not only for the benefit of the schools and the pupils in attend-ance, but also to demonstrate to the older Indians the possibilities of the soil, was continued during the year. The demonstration farm at Fort Berthold provided for in the act of June 1,1910 (36 Stats. L., 455-456), established in 1911 and 1912, is being operated with good results. MINING ON INDIAN LANDS. Oil and gas mining operations in Oklahoma have been very active during the past fiscal year. An extensive pool was discovered a little more than a year ago about 14 miles east of Cushing, which has been productive beyond expectations. Another large pool has been dii-covered near Healdton, about 14 miles west of Ardmore, and wells of large volume have been brought in. The Cushing oil is a high-grade refining oil, while that obtained from the Healdton field is said to have an asphalt base, to be some-what inferior to the Cushing oil, but of great value as a fuel oil. Clperations have been conducted in other directions, proven fields have been developed, and some " wild-catting " done with probably the usual average of success. During the year there has been quite a fluctuation in the price paid for crude oil in Oklahoma, which is of concern to the Indians who own oil-producing lands, as their royalties are based on the price of crude oil. On July 1, 1913, the market price of crude oil in the Oklahoma field was 88 cents per barrel of 42 gallons, which price had been effective for five months prior thereto. On July 7, 1913, the price was increased to 93 cents, and rose comparatively rapidly, reaching $1.03 on August 19, 1913, and was finally advanced to $1.05 per barrel on February 2,1914. During the time the price of crude oil was advancing development work was extremely active, with the result that production reached such a stage that the pipe-line companies could not transport all the oil being mined, and on April 8 the market price was reduced to $1 per barrel, and thereafter reductions were made rather rapidly until it reached 75 cents per barrel, on April 30, since which time no further change has been made. This price of 75 cents per barrel, however, is paid only for the high-grade refining oil. The operators in the Healdton field receive hut 50 cents per barrel for their oil. The oil men in Oklahoma are much concerned regarding the con-dition of the oil business, and recently a general meeting was held, at which steps were taken to curtail and control the production, with the hope that the price of crude oil would advance. It has been agreed between many of the producers to do no dr&g for four |