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Show COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AFZAIFS.. 9 I At 22 reservations in all parts of the western country demonstra-tion farms have been established for the purpose of placing before the Indians examples of what they may expect to do with their land. I During the year the operation of these farms continued, it is believed, i with excellent results. In activities of this kind State authorities have extended cordid I support. The division of demonstration farms of the North Dakota Agricultural College volunteered to cooperate with the o5cers in charge of reservations in the Dakotas. In Wisconsin a professor of the State University took charge of a large number of experiments. In Oklahoma the expert farmers under the jurisdiction of Union b Agency, who were engaged in endeavoring to encourage interest and e5ciency among the full-bloods of eastern Oklahoma, had help from the State board of agriculture and from the local representa-tives of the Department of Agriculture. I STOCK RAISING. Since the reservations originally contained wide areas of grazing land, and by aptitude Indians are stockmen, the Government has spent much money in developing the stock industry. But many In-dians neglected to provide forage for the winter, did not care prop-erly for the increase of their herds, and in a few cams made no at-tempt to turn their animals to a profit. Even in the face of this 'general recital of conditions, it is to be remembered that whereas the Blackfeet last winter lost 15 per cent of their herds, their white neighbors lost a larger proportion. Nowadays the division of Indian lands into small fenced holding8 for agriculture impedes the industry, for great cattle ranges in both the Indians' and the white men's country are things of the past. Although the di5culties in fostering this industry must be set down, there have been substantial successes. To-day where the quantity of stock is not increasing it is almost univemlly reported that the grade is improving. Holdings in stock are scattered broadcast. At the last dipping the Indians of Pueblo Bonito, N. Mex., had 128,000 sheep and goats. The Indians under the Navajo Agency own well in excess of 500,000 sheep. It is from the wool of these ~heepth at Navajo blankets in large numbers are made. It is roughly estimated that within 100 miles of the superintendency at Keams Canyon, Ariz., $400,000 worth of these blankets were sold in the year. At Mescalero, N. Mex., after 5,000 sheep had been given the Indians, but 4,300 remained 10 years ago, although none had been sold. But, after a course of persistent and intelligent encouragement, from the increase of these sheep the Indians yearly send to the markets of Kansas City and Chicago mut- |
