REPORTS OF AGENTS IN          UTAH.                  177 
There are about 70 acres of land under cultivation this year by Indians,
65 of which 
were newly bftken, as the lands flooded last year were abandoned. One hundred
and 
ten acres are under fence; 870 rods of wire fence have been put up during
the year. 
My farmer estimates the yield will be: Corn, 100 bushels; oats, 580 bushels;
potatoes, 
650 bushels; and vegetables and garden truck, 3,000 pounds. The Indians have
sup- 
plied the agency with considerable of the latter, for which they have received
good 
prices. The distribution of seeds is also commendable in the Departmement;
but the 
Ute cannot be made to understand the philosophy of saving seed-" Sufficient
unto 
the day is the evil thereof," being the motto. They are using grain-cradles
to cut 
grain instead of hand-sickles, and, though awkward, cause the "harvest
moon" to 
smile. No wheat was sown, owing to not getting seed wheat in time, and the
slow 
advance of the season. 
STOCK. 
It is a hard matter to explain away any unfavorable circumstances or impressions

which may arise concerning stock at this agency. I have been visited by two
inspect- 
ors, and neither of them would take the trouble to examine the stock or the
range on 
which they grazed. Reports were made, however, and I am left to infer they
were 
the result of hearsay. The range is extensive, the grazing light and scattering,
which 
necessitates the dividing of the herd. The better grazing is in the northeast
part of 
the reserve, next to the Colorado line, some 40 miles from theagency. 
Mr. Minnis, whom I succeeded, received a herd of stock cattle in 1883, which
were 
very thin and poor when turned over to me: so much so, that there being no
water 
on the range in the winter, they kept traveling between the range and the
river and 
many of them were drowned breaking through the ice, and mired in the quick-sands,

too poor and weak to extricate themselves. The exact number which were lost
in 
this manner, I have never been able to fully ascertain. During the month
of June I 
was with my herders having the bunch rounded-up for rebranding and to brand
the 
calves. I branded from that herd 100 calves, and considered the yield remarkably

good for the vicissitudes the herd had undergone. 
In July 450 more cows and heifers and '22 graded bulls were received, which
were 
fully up to the requirements of the contract and in splendid condition. This
stock 
was branded and turned upon a range on the west side of Green River, about
15 niles 
north of the agency. 
There are now 1,255 head of stock-cattle on the reservation, and it is a
hard matter 
to find grazing for them, and requires the constant attendance of at least
two compe- 
tent herders. I would recommend no more stock-cattle be put on this reservation,
as 
thero is not the feed for more, but if possible divide the present stock
among the In- 
dians or such ones as will properly care for them. Several of my Indians
own a few 
head of cattle, and I would recommend they be not allowed to sell or dispose
of the 
cows and heifers, and thus train them in one direction towards self-support.
I would 
also recommend the Department offer to purchase steers and beef-cattle of
them, in- 
stead of by contract, as an encouragement to pursue stock-raising. 
The stallions purchased for these Indians two years ago have been of no service
for 
the purpose intended. The Indians are much opposed to having them run with
their 
horses and but few ever call them into use. The fact is the stallions are
unappre- 
ciated. 
STATISTICS. 
The census taken prior to June 30 shows an increase of 2 over 1884. 
Total number of Indians --------------------------------           .    1,252

Number of males --------------------------------------------------------644

Number of females -                                                     
  608 
Number of males over fifteen years -------------                        -
270 
Number of females over fourteen years..                                 
  369 
Number between six and sixteen years ..-    --------                    -
453 
Deaths during the year   ---------------------------------------------  
   15 
Treated by the agency physician- m ---------------------------------------lo1

Births ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 10 
The incantations of the " medicine man" is still adhered to by
them in severe sick- 
ness, and while I do not think they will ever lose faith in their own cures,
many 
apply to the physician for ordinary ills. Others are suspicious of the physician's
rem- 
edies, and the chief, Sappovonaro, nor any of his family have ever applied
for medical 
treatment at the agency. 
IMPROVEMENTS. 
Since my last report the agency has been moved to the west bank of Green
River 
to the site once occupied by Fort T~hornburgh, prior to the removal of the
troops 
to Ashby Fork. The new quarters, though far superior in many ways to those

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