OCR Text |
Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFFAIRS. XCIX will pnt np a good supply of hay for next winter. With a liberal pro-vision for competent instrnction and assistance, the ontlook for them is encouraging. The Indians in Colorado, Arizona, and New Xexico depend in a great measure on irrigation, attempting little beside^ stock-raising. In the selection of farmers for eaoh locality care is taken to obtain men of experience in these particulars. From therepnrtsof the agents it is inferred that the farmers now employed are doing good work, but the Indians mill require much more instruction and assistance before they , can be independent of help. As they are generally willing, and in many cases anxious, to beome entirely self-supporting, the efforts of the Gov-e r~~mesnhto uld not he relaxed, but rather increased. Repo~tsf rom Idaho, the Indian Territory, and Oklahoma are also enconraglng, indicating that the farmers have done efficient work dur-ing the past year, and that the Indians are more than ever interested in agriculture and stock-raising. Though more advanced than many others, they too will require constant attention from the agency farmers for some time to oome, and should not be neglected or allowed to be-come discouraged. The following table, prepared from the reports of agents, exhibits status of farming, etc., by Indians, exclnsive of the five civilized tribes, up to date, crops ungathered being estimated. T A B L1~4.- Showimg numb* of allorments made, a m n rltivated, wopa raised, azd other * r resulfa of Indian farn~ing. Number of dlotmenta made to July 1,1890, under act of February 7.1837 . 15,166 Number of Indian families engaged in farming ........................... 27,328 Number of acres under fence ............................................ 608,937 Number of aorea nuder onltivation (bj- Indiana) ......................... 288,613 ; : CROPS RAISED. Bushela of wheat ........................................................ 881,419 Bushels of oats snd barley ............................................... 545,032 Bnahela of oom. ........................................................ 1,139,!297 Bushels of vegetables. .................................................. 482,580 Tonsof hay cat ......................................................... 130,712 . . Paands of butter made .................................................. !l2,969 NUMBER AND KISD OP STOCK OWNED BY LYDIAN& Homes and mules ....................................................... 443,244 Cattle .................................................................. 170,419 Swine .................................................................. 87,477 Sheep and goats ........................................................ 964,759 Domeatie fowls (all kinda) .............................................. 143,058 |