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Show -190- The agency also provided important economic services in the form of its sawmill and flourmill. The small portable sawmill was in operation by 1915 (1916 narrative, BAF) and continued through 1934 (1932-34 monthly statements of the farm extension agent, BAF). The cut beams and lumber were used almost exclusively on the reservation. It was important in that it helped meet the increasing housing needs of a growing population. The flourmill had a much greater potential. Finished in 1917 or 1918 (1917 correspondence, BAF), it was plagued by troubles. At first the mill had no miller, and then the position was filled by two unsatisfactory appointments. This was followed by poor wheat harvests, and finally by anti-mill propaganda (1924 correspondence, BAF). Whatever the Zunis had against the mill, there must have been a demand for one. In 1924 the Ilfeld Trading Company was refused permission to build another mill, because it would compete with the agency mill (1924 correspondence, BAF). The agency fourmill was built to make the marketing of wheat, as flour, profitable. It did have the capability to grind corn, but this was not popular with the Zunis. In 1923 most corn was still being ground on the mano and metate (1923 correspondence, BAF), and in the 1950's the traditionaJ method was still popular (interviews). The superintendents maintained careful watch over the activities of the reservation trading posts. It was impor- |
