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Show I XCVI REPORT OF THE COXMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. in 35,000 cases Indians have been personally assisted and instructed in farming; that 46,000 acres hare been plowed, and that at nearly every agency the need of a greater supply of lumber, seeds, and agricultural implements is very pressing. It is also reported that 1,136 Indians who never farmed before have been induced to commence farming. According to last year's census the entire Indian popnlation on the reservations where furmers were allowed during the year was but 107,283. A close estimate as to the number of those who can be ex-pected to work on a farm would be one.seventh of this number-15,326. This for the nine months in question gives 8 per cent. as those who hare been induced for the first time to commence farming. Had these reports been for the year, from all farmers employed, and exhaustive instead of partial, these figares mould have been largely increased. On the whole, I consider these reports encouraging. In my last annual report I called attention to an appropriation made for the year ending Jline Y0,.1889, to increase the number of instructors in farming among Indians. The appropriation provided for tile em-i ployment of farmers to superintend and direct the work of Indians making effort toward self-support, in additiou to the one farmer usually allowed each agency, and a require~uent was inserted that these "ad-ditional farmers " shoold have been engaged in practical farming for at least five gears prior to their employment in the Indian Service. The letter addressed by this office to Indian agents in pursuance of this legislation was embodied in mr last report. For oonvenience of reference in connection with remarks on replies thereto part of that . . letter is again quoted, as follows : That I may know exsotly the quslifioations of eaoh farmer at your agency, and in "hat respect he is or is not such ctn employ6 a8 the letter and the spirit of the act requires, I desire SOU to furnish me with the following information: (1) Gire Dame of each fnrozar at your agency. (2) Date of appoiutment and when ho entered upon duty. (3) Was he actually engaged for at least fire yearsprsctioally in the aaeupatiou of farming previoos to his appointment I (4) In what Iooalit,~w as he engaged in farming previous to his appointment 7 (5) Hes he s full knowledge of the proper use and car6 of modern agricultural im-plements end machinery 9 (6) Does it appear by his seleot,ion of farm sites, seeds, time snd manner of plant-ing, cultivating, reaping, etc., tlmt he thoroughly underst~ndst he peouliarities of the soil, seasons, eto., io yonr locality I (7) Has he at all times sinoa his appointment faithfolly endeavored to digcharge his dntg by atriving to inrarest the Indians in farm work; in the care of their crops; of stock and their inorease, espeoially brood mares; in the care of their farming im-plements, both when in use aud when not in use; and in that general good mauage-merit, husbaudry, and foresight indispensable to socoeasful farming 9 (8) Is he married or single, and is his famil? with him at the agenoyV (9) Admitting tbat heisao experienced fanner, having all the qualiflcetions above referred to, is he of such s temperament as enahlea him to impart this knowledge readily to others, partioolarly Indians? (10) Is he a mnu of good morsl loharacter, strictly temperate, and disposed to treat the Indiana kindly iuud'with paticuce and coneideration fur their peculiaritiee, so tbat he has secured their confidence and reapeot I |
