| OCR Text |
Show BEPORT OR COMMISSIONEB OR INDIAN AFFAIRS. 5. grown in the onion-producing centers of Texas and California. In-deed, this year's experiments at Sacaton demonstrated the possibility of producing all the onions needed at the Indian schools, or that can be absorbed by the local markets. It is hoped during the coming year to experiment with the gmwing of high-class onions for shipment to the Eastern markets. Again, notwithstanding that alfalfa is one of the principal crop plants of the Southwest, very little work had been done in the breeding of strains of high quality. A large alfalfa-breeding nursery has therefore been started at Sacaton, where more than 100 strains from as many different domestic and foreign sources are undergoing experiment, with the end in view of finding strains better suited for the conditions of soil and climate prevail-ing in the Gila Valley than the ordinary alfalfa now grown there. This includes the study of both hay and seed production. It is hoped that the results of the pending investigations will be of benefit not only to the Indians but to the whole farming community of the Southwest. The reports further show that 152 citrange trees representing 6 varieties, 56 citrange and citrous hybrid trees, 250 fig seedlings, 600 fig cuttings of 18 varieties, 30 varieties of rooted' grapevines, 50 vari-eties of grape cuttings, 80 drought-resistant olive trees, 18 choice varieties of pecens, 300 pistaches and a number of other trees and shrubs have been planted, most of which have had a good growth. About 20 acres were planted in Egyptian cotton, which is making an excellent showing and has now reached the point where a good crop is practically assured. To this last-mentioned experiment great local interest attaches, not only because Egyptian cotton is a crop which combines high value with small bulk, but also because it can be grown on land too alkaline for alfalfa and the other crops known to the Pimas. The Indians have been taught to believe that pumped water tends to render more alkaline the land which it is used to irrigate; and if a cotton crop of value can be grown on this land, the effect upon the Indians' fortunes will be most gratifying, as it will substitute hope for discouragement among them, incite them to fresh efforts for self-support, and enable them to utilize their alkaline lands which are now uncultivated. Moreover, a new American source of supply of this grade of cotton would be welcomed gladly by the New England manufacturers, who at present consume nearly $20,000,000 worth of imported Egyptian cotton every year. I am hopeful that the Indians themselves will go into Egyptian cotton culture regularly, as the women and children will be able to pick the cotton in the home fields as it ripens, leaving the men free to seek employment in harvesting the crops of their white neighbors. Mr. Dagenett, our supervisor of Indian employ-ment, is keeping in close touch with this experimental work, so that, |
