I believe there is a splendid chance for increased efficiency of our school service by special efforts and cooperation along the lines indicated. I must insist that you give the development of the school farm your most careful attention, to the end that the highest degree of efficiency and results be accomplished. There is absolutely no excuse for a waste acre or overlooked opportunity on a school farm. We need all they will produce, and can not justify the purchase of anything we can raise. It is inconsistent and indefensible for us to expect Indian boys and girls to return home from their schools and do more than they have witnessed their teachers doing for them when they are supposed to be qualifying themselves for industrial equipment and self-support. Superintendents, inspectors, supervisors, and special agents are directed to give this matter their prompt and most careful attention and fully advise me of the steps taken by field officers to make effective these suggestions.

SACATON EXPERIMENTATION FARM.

The demonstration farm at Sacaton, Ariz., conducted cooperatively with the Department of Agriculture, has given satisfactory results.

A special study has been made of the grade Egyptian cotton which has been under observation there for several years. The land in which the staple was planted was regraded so that it might be irrigated more scientifically, with the result that it has made the largest yield of cotton ever obtained at this farm, although the land already had grown from five to seven consecutive crops of cotton. A 4-acre plat of cotton produced an average of 890 pounds of lint per acre. This is the largest average yield of long staple Egyptian cotton ever produced in the State of Arizona. Approximately 10,935 pounds of lint were produced on 15 acres; 90 pounds of lint from progeny rows of the "Pima," the name given to the new type of long staple cotton, were shipped to the Manchester Fine Goods Spinners' Assocation, England, for spinning tests, and 1,074 pounds of "Pima" from "Phelp's" seed were sent to New England spinners for the same purpose. The cotton grown during the calendar year 1914, with the exceptions noted above, has not yet been sold on account of prevailing low price.

There is also on hand at the farm about 30,000 pounds of seed which could not be hauled to Salt River Valley points on account of the high water in the Gila River. About 10,890 pounds of seed were distributed to the school and reservation farmers for planting during the season of 1915. While the Indians last season planted only 296 acres, the reports indicate that their interest in the growing of cotton is commendable, as over the southern cotton section there was discouragement on account of low prices.

The surrounding communities have, equally with the Indians, received the benefits of this farm, as last year white ranchers of the Salt River Valley produced 6,421 bales of cotton, which, at an average

of 16 cents per pound, would aggregate for the crop of lint cotton approximately $589,469. Counting the value of the seed after being converted into cake and oil, it is estimated the net value of the crop to the Indians and white people would amount to nearly $1,000,000 for the year. When it is remembered that seven years ago scarcely any one thought that Arizona would produce cotton at all, this is a phenomenal development. In addition to experimentation with cotton, experiments were also made with varieties of corn, alfalfa, sorghum cane, ribbon cane, beans, grapes, nuts, fruits, berries, and garden stuffs.

FORT BERTHOLD DEMONSTRATION FARM.

The demonstration farm at Fort Berthold Reservation contains five fields of approximately 155 acres which were planted to oats, wheat, rye, corn, flax, and potatoes, all of which proved profitable. It is estimated that the net profit of the farm amounted approximately to $1,100. A very high grade of cattle and horses is being raised on the farm, and when they reach the proper age the males are turned over to the reservation for breeding among the Indian stock.

EXPERIMENTATION.

The work of experimenting with various crops under the different soil and climatic conditions existing on the widely scattered Indian reservations has been continued through the year with a large measure of success, particularly at Malki and San Juan. Formerly this work consisted of experiments with fruit (particularly apricots and grapefruit) and the date palm, both of which promise to be remunerative industries for the Indians. At this place 12,000 fruit trees were set out during the year. At San Juan experiments were conducted with several varieties of wheat and other grains, which proved to be well adapted to a number of the reservations where similar soil and climatic conditions prevail, and the results of these experiments were communicated to the superintendents with the view of extending the production of such varieties.

Several years ago the Agricultural Department imported from Egypt the seed of a very hardy and prolific drouth-resisting forage plant, which has been designated "Sudan grass," from the country of its origin. Seed of this grass was sent to a number of reservations in the semiarid regions of the Southwest.

Experiments are also being conducted with the "Tepary bean," which has been grown, on a limited scale, by the Papago Indians for generations, and while it is too early to report definitely as to the results, yet the indications are that this bean will prove to be a very

successful and remunerative crop in that section of the country. This bean is their creation and should be called the "Papago bean."

STOCK RAISING.

The utilization of the natural resources of the various Indian reservations for the benefit of the Indians has been extended during the last year by the purchase of tribal herds and the improvement and development of the live-stock interests of the individual Indians. The success met with in handling the tribal herds is largely due to the provision which was made to shelter and feed the animals during the winter months. The loss in the Crow tribal herd of about 7,000 heifers and 2,000 steers was less than 1 per cent during the winter of 1914-15. There were approximately 3,000 calves belonging to this herd branded at the spring round-up, and it is probable that the total number of calves produced for the first year this herd was on the range will be nearly 4,000 head.

In October, 1914, 3,800 ewes and 199 rams were placed on the range in the southern addition to the Jicarilla Reservation. This flock now comprises a total of 6,796 rams, ewes, and lambs. The clip of wool from this flock, amounting to 16,660 pounds, was sold, delivered at the agency, for $3,581.90. A tribal herd of 1,000 heifers and 42 bulls has also been placed on this reservation.

The number of tribal herds on the various Indian reservations were increased by the purchase of cattle as follows: For Blackfeet Reservation, 60 bulls, 1,800 heifers; for Cheyenne River Reservation, 80 bulls, 1,800 heifers; for Fort Apache Reservation, 50 bulls; for Fort Belknap Reservation, 60 bulls, 1,800 heifers; for Jicarilla Reservation, 42 bulls, 100 heifers; for Klamath Reservation, 40 bulls; for Mescalero Reservation, 68 bulls, 1,200 heifers; for Moqui Reservation, 10 bulls; for Rosebud Reservation, 50 bulls, 300 heifers; for San Carlos Reservation, 80 bulls, 972 heifers; for Standing Rock Reservation, 100 bulls, 1,800 heifers; for Tongue River Reservation, 25 bulls, 500 heifers; for Ute Mountain Reservation, 75 bulls, 1,500 heifers; for Walker River Reservation, 20 bulls, 500 heifers; for Warm Springs Reservation, 30 bulls, 533 heifers; for Western Shoshone Reservation, 100 heifers; and for the Walapai Reservation, 510 cows and 20 bulls. A large number of heifers were purchased for the Cheyenne River, Colville, Rosebud, Standing Rock, and Warm Springs Reservations, and will be sold to individual Indians under the reimbursable plan.

A considerable amount of stock was during the year1914-15 distributed to individual Indians, and it is our purpose to extend this procedure as rapidly as good administration justifies. Indian stock has been so successfully managed since the policy of increasing stock raising among the Indians was inaugurated some two years

ago as to fully justify the undertaking. Our personal inspections and reports show the tribal herds and individually owned cattle, horses, and sheep to be rapidly improving in breed, increasing in number, and showing a gratifying profit on the investment. Where the climate requires, vigilant efforts are being made to insure ample feed to prevent winter loss.

There is now every indication that the Indian-owned stock will soon become a substantial factor in the world's supply.

THE COMPETENCY COMMISSION.

The competency commission appointed by you has entered on its duties. The personnel of the commission, consisting of Maj. James McLaughlin, an inspector of the department, and Mr. F. A. Thackery, superintendent of the Pima School, each of whom has had large and varied intimacy with the Indians, is a guarantee that its purpose will be carried out with a sincere determination to make its findings dependable. In connection with the superintendent of the reservation on which its sittings are being held, it will carefully consider the qualifications of each Indian who may apply for a severance of tribal relations, or who, in its judgment, has arrived at the degree of business competency that he should assume the duties of citizenship. I am hopeful, from the wide experience of the members of the commission, that permanent good not only to the individual but to the tribe as well will result from its labors.

ALLOTMENTS.

During the past year but one special allotting agent has been employed, on the Gila River Reservation, Ariz., where a large area of irrigable land was available for allotment. A comparatively limited number of allotments have been made on various reservations by the respective superintendents in charge, but as a general rule activity along this line has been much lessened.

ALLOTMENT OF FORT SILL APACHES.

Of the survivors and descendants of Geronimo's Band of Apaches, formerly held as prisoners of war at Fort Sill, Okla., 187 removed to the Mescalero Reservation, N. Mex., and 84 stayed in Oklahoma, where suitable tracts of from 80 to 160 acres have been purchased for 69 of them. This leaves 15 yet to be provided for when additional funds have been procured for this purpose.

LANDLESS INDIANS IN CALIFORNIA.

Reports indicate that there are about 19,000 Indians in California located in 55 of the 59 counties in that State. Of this number ap

proximately 15,000 are in northern California, 1,800 being on Indian reservations. It is estimated that there are from 3,500 to 4,500 Indians who are unprovided with reservation lands, allotments on the public domain, or otherwise. Forty-three purchases have been made for the benefit of these Indians, placing title to approximately 6,600 acres in the United States, at a cost of $144,470.45. About 2,500 of these Indians have been provided with homes. These purchases were made mainly from appropriations in the acts of June 21, 1906 (34 Stat. L., 325-333), and April 30, 1908 (37 Stat. L., 70–76), which were supplemented by succeeding appropriation acts. The Indian appropriation act for the past year specifically appropriated $10,000 for the purchase of land for landless Indians in California, and the same amount was made available by joint resolution of March 4, 1915, continuing the Indian appropriations for the present year. A list of the 43 purchases showing the number of Indians, acreage, and amount paid will be found in Table 30 of this report.

PATENTS IN FEE.

Patents in fee are issued to Indian allottees, and the heirs of deceased allottees, under the provisions of the acts of May 8, 1906 (34 Stats. L., 182), and June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. L., 855). During the year patents in fee were issued under said acts covering an area of 124,116.36 acres, of which 61,114.47 acres, or about 50 per cent, covers land allotted to Turtle Mountain and Pine Ridge Indians. The Turtle Mountain Indians are allotted partly in North Dakota and partly on the public domain in the State of Montana.

SALE OF INDIAN LAND.

The sale of allotted and inherited Indian land is authorized by the acts of May 27, 1902 (32 Stat. L., 245), March 1, 1907 (34 Stat. L., 1015), May 29, 1908 (35 Stat. L., 444), June 25, 1910 (36 Stat. L., 855), and February 14, 1913 (37 Stat. L., 678).

The act last mentioned extended the provisions of the act of June 25, 1910, to Oklahoma, with the exception of lands belonging to the Five Civilized Tribes and the Osages, so that since the passage of this act patents in fee simple can be issued to purchasers of Indian lands in Oklahoma, with the exceptions noted.

During the year 1915 sales have been made covering an area of 102,675.54 acres, involving a consideration of $1,300,303.08. The average price for which the land sold was $12.66 per acre. The year previous the office sold 947 tracts, involving 90,768.30 acres, for $652,815.50, or a little over $17 per acre. A great amount of land was sold on reservations where the average price was about $5 per acre, which reduced the general average.