| OCR Text |
Show UTAH SUPERINTENDENCY. 367 timed. These Indians have evidently degenerated very rapidly dur-ing the last twelve years, or since white men have got among them. I alluded partially to the Indian farms in my last report. These farms would have exhibited a result this fall that would prove, beyond all peradventure, the practicability of the system ; but, for causes not within human control, the result is not as was anticipated. The grasshoppers and crickets hare nearly denuded the San Pete and Corn Creek farms. The Spanish Fork reservation, in Utah valley, was commenced about four years ago, for a portion of the Utah Indians, who claim and have always lived in this valley. I have been endeavoring to induce the Uinta tribe, or, at all events, a portion of them, to locate on this reservation. My efforts, so far, have proved unsuccessful. I held my last interview with them upon this subject the past month. They earnestly desired me to give them work cattle, and a few farming appliances to take to Uinta, and to send a white man to instruct them in the art of husbandry. This farm and reservation are advantageously located in Utah valley, bounded on the northwest, for four miles, by Utah lake, and several miles on the northeast by the Spanish Fork creek, both containing an abundance of trout and other fish. I have included in this reservation nearly thirteen thousand acres, have had it surveyed, and sent a draft of it to t,he department a year ago. When this farm came under my supervision, the improvements on it were one large, well-built adobe house, a dam and ditch for irri-gating purposes, and a ditch around about nine hundred acres, which was intended to protect the crop, but proved an entire failure. By my directions, a Spanish tiall fence, six feet high, is built around about one thousand acres, which was done at a reasonable expense, less, at a11 events, than the previous ditch. Two large corrals, made with rails, were built this season; as also a good well dug and curbed. Other minor improvements are in contemplation, but are postponed for the present. There are about five hundred acres under cultivation. The accompanying report of ex-Agent Hunt will show the condition 1 of and prospects on this farm to the latter part of July. I regret that my expectations about the wheat crop will not be fully realized. It is estimated to not exceed twenty-five hundred bushels. When I was last at this farm (about August 15) there was every pros-ect of a full crop. I have not ascertained the cause of the light crop, fut am assured that it is not in consequence of any want of attention on the part of those who have immediate control of the farm. Notwithstanding this, the farm is now in a more flattering condition than ever before. The various products upon it will feed, during the coming winter, those Indians living on the farm, and render aid to others. There has been more labor performed by the Indians this season, and more interest manifested by them, than heretofore. The chiefs and some others are desirous to have houses to live in. This farm will he managed in future by a person in whom I have confidence. |
