| OCR Text |
Show 165 There is not the number of acres under cultivation this year as last, owing to the high water which flooded and entirely destroyed the very best prospects of crops in 1884, which discouraged many. But a better system of cultivation has been advanced, and the yield per acre will be better. The farms are small, many of them mere patches, but I am well satisfied to see an Indian take some interest in small matters. The farming lands are scattered along the river bottoms for a distance of 15 miles on either side of the agency, and some have not received the attention they should, as one farmer cannot be in two places at a time. I would recommend the employment of two additional farmers for six months in the year, to be allowed to assist in putting in their crops and harvesting the same. The gratuitous action of the Government, in distributing agricultual implements to the Indians, is commendable, and will, I think, be fully appreciated in time by the tribe, as it now is by a few. The agency farmer resigned July 31, and the carpenter and blacksmith resigned August 8, which leaves the agency in bad shape for help. The Indians' crops are now ready to cut, and I have no one to assist them. The pay is inadequate to the employment of good men, as one who is worth anything at all can demand and secure a better compensation nearer civilization, and the "hangers on," infatuated with Government positions, are of no account, usually, and a good man is hard to get. There are about 70 acres of land under cultivation this year by Indians, 65 of which were newly broken, as the lands flooded last year were abandoned. One hundred and ten acres are under fence; 870 rods of wire fence have been put up during the year. My farmer estimates the yield will be: Corn, 100 bushels; oats, 580 bushels; potatoes, 650 bushels; and vegetables and garden truck, 3,000 pounds. The Irfdians have supplied the agency with considerable of the latter, for which they have received good prices. The distribution of seeds is also commendable in the Department; but the Ute cannot be made to understand the philosophy of saving seed-"Sufficient |
