to-do from this source. From time to
time their herds are improved by well-bred stallions and mares and
blooded cattle, furnished by the Government under treaty stipulations.
The total valuation of stock belonging to Indians, both individual and
tribal, is now twenty-two million dollars in round numbers, according to
the tables furnished by the Indian Bureau. This estimate includes sheep,
goats, and poultry. The Navajoes, who number about 22,000 and are in a
fairly primitive state, having few schools or missionaries among them,
are thrifty and successful sheep-herders and entirely self-supporting.
The value of crops raised by Indians during the last fiscal year is
estimated at more than four millions.

In a word, the typical red man of to-day is a rancher on a large or
small scale. He has displayed quite as much intelligence and aptitude
for the work as could be expected. There have been serious handicaps,
other than the tradition among us that the cultivation of the soil is a
feminine rather than a manly occupation. I may mention the occupation of
the best lands by white settlers, with or without our consent; the
ration system; and the "spoils system" as applied to the appointment of
our superintendents and instructors in farming.

Take the Sioux, for example--a strong and self-respecting people who had
shown a willingness to fight for their rights when it became necessary.
They were presently corralled upon reservations in a land of little
rain, and given enough food to sustain life, under a solemn engagement
to continue feeding "until they became self-supporting." There was scant
opportunity and still less inducement to become so; accordingly only a
few of the more ambitious or energetic worked at teaming or whatever
they could get to do, improved their homes, acquired stock, and
gradually fought their way upward. For many years this clause in the
treaty was not applied to individuals; that is, it was interpreted to
mean that all should receive rations until all became self-supporting.
Twenty years ago, when I lived among them as agency doctor, Government
and mission workers of Indian blood, well-to-do mixed bloods, and
intermarried white men all drew their rations regularly, with very few
exceptions.

About a dozen years ago tardy steps were taken to carry out the evident
intention of the treaty, which had hitherto been defeated by keeping it
to the letter. Rations were withdrawn from all who had other sufficient