Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1902-10-16
Fort BertoId Reservation.

Fort Bertold Res ervation.
Fort Berthold reservation is located
in the west-central part of North Da'
kota, on the Missouri river, and COM
prises an area of 1908 square miles.
This region is we'll adapted to stock
raising, the prairie lands furnishing
ample range throughout the year. On
account of the hot, dry winds and IN
certain rainfall, agriculture is not car
ried on extensively, although the land
is fertile, and, in seasons of sufficient
moisture, produce good crops.
The three years preceding 1892
were SO discouraging that many Indi-
ans at Fort Berthold did not plant
their usual crops in the census year,
although the season proved to be a
very favorable one. Of the cereals,
wheat and corn were raised most eX-
tensively, although many farmers also
sowed oats. Nearly all had several
acres of potatoes under cultivation, in
addition to small patches of melons,
! onions, beans, peas, cabbages and 9TH
farmers cultivated from five to forty
acres, besides cutting large areas of
prairie grass.
StCck-raising on this reservation is
growing rapidly in Importance, and
will eventually place the people Of this
| reservation on a self-supporting basis.
The last issue OF live stock was made
to them in 1898, and consisted of 1000
heifers and forty bulls. Nearly all of
the Indians now own a number OF cat
tie, while some have large herds. AL
though in recent winters severe storms
have scattered and killed many of the
cattle, the majority reported sales of
live stock in 1899, ranging from $25 to
$500, while the receipts of one Indian
from this source amounted to $5,415.
The larger number of their horses are
Indian pony stock, but a few have a
good grade of American horses. Dali
nv COWS ana chickens are found on but
few farms.
Only "a per cent know enough Eng
lish for ordinary conversation, and
government rations still constitute 60
per cent of their subsistence.
Standing Rock Reservation.
Standing Rock reservation lies on
the west bank of the Missouri river,
and contains an area of 4,176 square
miles. of which. approximately, three
fifths is in South Dakota.
This reserve is the home of the
Blackfeet, the Hunkapapa and the Up
per and Lower Yanktonia bands of the
Sioux, numbering, in all, 1856. The
reservation is best adapted to grain;
but although the soil in general is a
deep, rich loan, the hot winds and in
sufficient rainfall often prevent crops
from maturing. Consequently, stock
raising is the principal pursuit OF the
Indian farmers. although most of them
grow a few crops, and, in addition cut
large quantities Of wild grass. They
are beginning to realize that. from
their cattle, must eventually come
their support. and are giving them
much better care than formerly.
Their cereals. planted every year in
hope OF Il harvest. rarely yield more
than the quantity seeded. The season
of 1899. however. was a favorable one
on the Standing Rock reserve. and the
Indians harvested considerable guam
titles of corn and oats. Individual
acreage in these crops was very small,
usually from two to ten acres. Ncge-
tables did we'll. and nearly all farmers
raised potatoes. while many had small
fields OF melons. pumpkins, peas, beans
and onions. \ few grew sugar bcetS,
which have been found to be we'll
adapted to the soil. Wild hay however.
is the most important and extensive
crop, and besides making enough for
their own use, the Indians sell large
quantities to the agency. military post
and traders. The improved area of
the farms of the majority Of the 7S0
Indian farmers ranged from five to
forty acres.