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Show CHAP. XHI. THE INDIAN FARMS. 477 the hunting-grounds are encroached upon, and terrible massacres are the result. Here, as elsewhere, -the battle of life is fiercely fought. It has been said, " Man differs more from man Than beast from beast." Yet every where we trace the mighty resemblance. The three principal farms which now form the nuclei of future reservations are those at Spanish Fork, San Pete, and Corn Creek. The two latter have often been denuded by the grasshopper; the former has fared better. Situated in Utah Valley, under the shelter of lofty Nebo, it extends northward within four miles of the Sweetwater Lake, and on fhe northeast is bounded by the Spanish- Fork Creek, rich in trout and other fish. It was begun five years ago for the Yutas, who claim the land, and contains a total of 13,000 acres, of which 500 have been cultivated; 900 have been ditched to protect the crop, and 1000 have been walled round with a fence six feet high. Besides other improvements, they have built a large adobe house and two rail corrals, and dug dams and channels for irrigation, together with a good, stone-curbed well. Under civilized superintendence the savages begin to la- T)or, and the chiefs aspire to erect houses. Yet the crops have been light, rarely exceeding 2500 bushels. San Pete Farm, in the valley and on the creek of the same name, lies 150 miles south of Great Salt Lake City; it supports, besides those who come for temporary assistance, a band of thirty souls; 200 acres have been planted with wheat and potatoes, two adobe houses and a corral have been made, and irrigating trenches have been dug. Corn- Creek Farm, in Fillmore Valley, was begun about four years ago; 300 acres have been broken up, several adobe houses have been built for the Indians and the farm agent, with the usual adjuncts, eorral and fences. The crickets and grasshoppers have committed sad havoc among the wheat, corn, iand potatoes. It is now tenanted by a Pahvant chief. The Uinta Farm is near Fort Bridger. Those lately opened in Deep Creek and Ruby Valleys have this year lain fallow in consequence of Indian troubles; the soil, however, is rich, and will produce beets, potatoes, onions, turnips, and melons. It is proposed to place the Pa Yutas and Washoes in the Truckee Meadows, on the.lands "watered by the majestic Kuyuehup, or Salmon-Trout River," where, besides fish and pifion forests, there are 15,000 acres fit for cultivation and herding. The Indian agents report that the cost will be $150,000, from which the Mormons deduct at least two 0's. The Yuta, though divided into many tribes and bands, is a distinct race from its prairie neighbors, speaking a single langue mire much diversified by dialect. They are a superstitious brood, and have many cruel practices-human sacrifices and vivisepulture- like those of Dahomey and Ashantee. Their religion is the usual African and Indian fetichism, that germal faith which, under fa- |
