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Show 12 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDUN AFFAIRS. where such a plan was adopted two years ago. At that time the Indians depended largely on the Government, rations being issued to about 2,000 members of the tribe during the winter. With the exception of the old and indigent they are now practically self-sup-porting and raised sufficient flour last ear to justify the cancellation of the estimate for their regular annua 9 allowance of flour. The wheat production on this reservation has been increased from 1,000 bushels in 1921 to 100,000 bushels the past year. I t is proposed to make this five-year program the greatest forward step ever taken in the industrial progress of the Indians and the general improvement of their home life. REIBIBW~ABLE~ SISTANCE. -U~th~i~s I mvision of law pur-chases of various equipment, supplies, and fve stock are made for the Indians and from four to six years allowed for repayment. The plan has proved one of the greatest aids ever devised for promoting the industrial welfare of the Indians, and has enabled many of them to become self-supporting who otherwise would be dependent upon the Government. Large repa ments were made last year. The total reimbursable appropriation f or the year was $80,000 and was au-thorized for expenditure but, owing to unsatisfactory bids, especially on cattle, and the drou ht existing throughout the Southwest, mak-ing it inadvisable to ad f new and better bred sheep to the ranges, only $62,846 was expended during the year. In addition to this about $65,000 was expended under the reimbursable regulations from money otherwise available, mostly tribal funds authorized by Congress. COOPERATIVEXE PERINENTATION.-Thiws ork is a definite contri-bution to Indian farming in certain localities. I t has been con-tinued during the year at Sacaton in the Pima Reservation, Ariz., by the joint operation of our service and the Bureau of Plant In-dustry, United States Department of Agriculture, and with good results in the production of improved varieties or crops suited to the semiarid condition which prevails on the reservat~ons in that part of the country. Extension to the Papago Reservation is lanned for the present year. The experimental date gardens at galm Springs on the Aguas Calientes Reserpation and at Martinez, Calif., promise well in getting the Indians interested in this remu-nerative industry, which it is hoped will eventually make them eu-tirely self-supporting. FAIRS AND EXHIBITS. In September 1922, exhibits of native Indian arts and crafts wera shown at banta Fe and.Gallup, N. Mex., consisting of bas-ketry, beadwork, pottery, Navajo rugs, silverware, etc.; and in April, 1923, an exhibit of Indian-made oods was collected and displayed at the exposition of the ~ravel,&ub of America, New York City, to acquaint the public, includin the local merchants, with the varieti and beauty of aborigiuaf handiwork. The Indian booth prove extremely attractive and was visited by lar e numbers of people. Much of the work was sold, and it is believe3 that through the ex osition the market for Indian natjve wares will be.broadened. The o g ject of these d~splays was to stimulate interest ~n the per- |