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Show BEPORT OF THE COMiWISSIONEB OF INDIAN AFPAIRS. 57 having a main canal 22 miles long, with an approximate ca&ing capacity of 5,000 inches, and a system of laterals which will distribute the wnter over substantially 24,000 acres of land. The work has been done in accordance with the best irrigation practice, and Indian labor was used almost exclusively. He has been very successful through his influence with the Indians in inducing them to take up agricultural employments in addition to the work on the irrigation system, and has now under cultivation 10,000 acres of land. To reduce to cultivation and plant with various crops such a lar,m e urea with this class of labor is a notable achievement. The land is being carefully cultivated this year, so that it may be suitable next year for the planting of sugar beets, which require that it shall be almost wholly free from weeds. The contractors who have a lease of 10,000 acres of land on the reservation for sugar-beet culture are at the present time preparing to take up that industry on a large scale during next year. They have selected a site for their factory and expect that next year they will be able to furnish employment for all able-bodied Indians on the reservation who are not occupied in other pursuits. Superintendent Logan bas definite plans for placing and maintain-ing under cultivation all of the lands that are susceptible of irrigation from the system which he has constructed. He expects that in a few years these Indians who, hut a short time ago, were nomads, will be a highly prosperpus self-supporting community. TRESPASSES ON LANDS OF PUEBLO INDIANS. The suit of A. R. Manby, plaintiff, v. Daniel Martinez et al., defend-ants, commonly known as the Taos land case, is now pending in the territorial courts of New Mexico. Amended petitions have recently been filed in the case and it is expected that a judicial determination of the subject will he made during the coming year. Appropriate action has been taken to protect the interests of the Pueblo Indians in this matter, as well as their rights to the waters of the Rio Lucero. Disputes have arisen regarding the north boundary line of a tract of land, known as the Paguate purchase, lying immediately north of the regular Laguna Indian League. The people of Cebolleta have not been satisfied with the survey made in 1878, and it has been found necessary to make a careful inveitigation to determine the rights of the Indians. A hearing was granted on November 27, 1908, at a council of the Laguna Indians, and there were present several persons from CebolIeta, representing their people. They did not present any valid claim to the disputed land, and in consequence it is now being farmed by the Indians. In order to settle the matter dehitely it may be necessary to order a resurvey,which will establish the title to the land beyond a doubt. |