Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1917-04-19
Supt. Kitch Urges Big
Crop On Reservation
Calls Upon Both Indian and White Far.
mers to Crop as Large Acreage ~
Possible This Season
Standing Rock Indian School,


communication by telegram and
letter from the Commissioner of
Indian Affairs urging that the In
dians and employees Of this reser-
vation give their. entire and un-
divided efforts for the increased pro-
duction OF. food stuff material and
tilling Of the soil during the coming
farming season, and I would ap-
preciate it if the views and senti-
ments of the commissioner and my
self can be expressed through the
columns Of your paper so that not
only the Indians of the reservation
but the white settlers now leasing
land in this vicinity may realize the
necessity Of a large crop this year.
Following is a communication from
President Wilson, in which he urges
q response to our necessary call for
food products, as follows:
To the Farmers Of the Country:
"At the present moment it
is our plain duty to take ade-
quate steps that not only our
own people be fed, but that we
may, if possible, answer the
call for food Of other nations
now at war. In this greatest
of human needs 1 feel that the
American farmer will do his
part to the uttermost. By plant
ing and increasing his produc-
tion in every way possible,
every farmer will perform a
labor of patriotism for which
he will be recognized as a SOL
dier Of the commissary, adding
his share to the food supply Of
the people. I"
(Signed) Woodrow Wilson
No greater service can be render
ed our country or our families than
by the tilling of our soil and conser-
vation Of our grain crop. Our
armies must he, fed, and it is to the
farmers at this time we look to for
support in the maintainence of our
national cause. I cannot urge too
strongly the necessity Of a vigorous
campaign in the farming industry.
l will use every effort in the con-
Summation Of farming leases between
Indians who have surplus lands and
white settlers whom I believe have
the intention Of farming the land.
I will also take personal part in
the farming operations of the In
dians and hope they will put forth
their best efforts.
We must also recognize that truck
gardening should be considered to
no email extent, as it is from this
that the immediate and actual form
Of subsistence is obtained. 1 plan
to make a personal visit of the reser-
vation and hope to see upon every
Indian allotment a good showing in
truck gardening. Potatoes form a
large percentage Of our food and at
tention should be called to veg.
etables Of this kind which not only
could he used for current needs but
also be stored and utilized during
the winter months.
l have in recent request to our
farmers called for their active and
aggressive participation in our in.
dustrial work and I am sure that
they will give every assistance pos
eible to our Indians.
Seeds will be available in due
season for issue to the Indians on
the reimbursable plan. I am pleased
to note that the call for seed from
the Indians has surpassed that OF
former years. but we have asked fol
bids for an expenditure of rs pei
cent increase of our original esti-
mates. This shows a laudable in.
tention in our Indians to assist
themselves and our country this
year and I am sure that with a CO.
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