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Show I XXII REPORT OF COMMISEIO~ERO F INDIAN APFAIRS. . chased and the increase in the number of Indian families who have become permanently established in comfortable independence and in their bettered condition generally. ADDITIOBAL R U ~ B S . By ;sot of Oongress, approved July 4,1884, the sum of $25,000 wr*s appropriated- . To enable the Secretary of the Interior to employ praotioal farmers, in addition to the agency farmers now employed, at wages not exceeding $75 per month, to auper- , intend and direct farming among anch Indians 8s are making effort for self-support. The results of the judicious, expenditure of this appropriation were so satisfactory that the same amount was appropriated for like purpose by act of Congress approved March 3,1885, for the year ending June 30,1886. The rule was adopted of appointiug such additional farmers directly by this ofice, thus giving ab opportunity to investigate each application andascertain the fitness of the-applicant for the position. The results have been eminently satisfactory, and much goog has been done by the additional farmers going among tbe Irdians, acquainting . themselves with the individual pecu1iariti.e~ and needs of each, and giving the iu~tructiona nd assistance best suited to e@chc ase. Of t h e $25,000 appropriated, there remains unaxpended a very small balance, caused by the fact that the service at a few agencies was not continu-ous through the year. The results of the policy of employing additional farmers were of such marked benefit that it eonld no longer be called an experiment, and by act of Congress approved May 15, 1886; the sum of $40,000 was appropriated,for this purpose during the fiscal year ending Jnue 30, 1887. By the expenditure of this increased amount iu the employment of actlve, energet,ic men who have the best interests of the Indians at heart, there is no doubt that much good will result. CARE OF AGRICULTUBAL IMPLEXENTS AT AGENCIES. ! Eeports of iispectors and special agents have calleql attention to the fact that at many agencies but little carehas been exercised by the agents and emplop6s to see that costly agricultural implements and . mechanical tools of all kinds were issued'only to the deserving and to those who were prepared to nse them and take aare of them. Agents seemed to think that they got rid of all responsibility in the matter, which they were desirous to do, by issuing these supplies and 'paying no further attention to them. Conseqnently,reapers md mowers,ploms, harrows, wagons and hamess, and all kinds.of costly agricuitural im-plements and meahanical tools were. found scattered about on nearly every reservation-perhaps used only a few times, tlieu thrown aside I or left where last used, exposed to the weather and going to decay. In some inatancesfence-wirewas given Indians who had no posts to attach |