Office Siletz Agency
August 1st 1871
Sir,
Since my last report nothing has transpired here materially changing the condition of affairs, as then indicated, many of the Indians are absent with leave. and hord their potatoes and gleaned their grains, this process of gleaning or cutting out fern, wild cucumber or [...]-in-the-ground and other weeds peculiar to this climate and soil, must be resorted to in almost every instance or else the crops are wholly chocked out and rendered useless; this is doubtless owing in part to shallow plowing and continued cropping.All the meadows were equally foul, so much so, that before the timothy began beading, I was compelled to mow down a main growth of lupin which covered the entire meadows. This growth of fern and other weeds, adds materially to the cost of producing crops in this locality, but the late rains this season has doubtless made it more than usually so, and I am of the opinion that this can be remedied to a great extent, by burning the stubble and fall plowing.
The hay crop has been very good, and is now mostly all stored away in the farms, yet the quantity is limited considering the number of stock to be fed, and we must rely greatly upon straw, to subsist the stock during the coming winter.
The Indians have several small patches of Club Wheat which gives promise of a fair yield, a number of small fields of Noahs Island and other varieties, will
hardly pay the expenses of harvesting, but this is owing more directly to the indifferent manner of cultivation, than the fault of the climate or soil.
The Agency crops will yet require a considerable outlay of means to glean them, and the potatoes will require being worked over several times more.
Owing to the late frost, the fruit crop will be a failure.
The health of the Indians is generally very good, yet there are quite a number of chronic cases that require the constant care & attention of the Physician.
As yet no steps have been taken, looking to the establishment of Daily Schools, in fact there are no suitable buildings for the purpose and there is no lumber to build school houses, no funds into which I can purchase, and could I purchase, the distance to haul the lumber over these mountains with the limited number of teams at my disposal would necessarly lessen our ability to carry on agricultural operations. The Saw Mill at the Upper Farm is hardly worth repairing, besides it is difficult getting logs to it. and it is but a triffing affair, though the streams of water in which it is located furnishes a column of water that would answer a very good purpose.
If it be found impracticable to obtain funds to construct a mill at a more eligible point, it may be well to overhaul and repair the vise on hand, as with the present limited number and decayed condition of the Government buildings at this Agency, much lumber will
be needed for construction and repairs.
Your Obt. Servant
Joel Palmner
U.S. Indian Agent
Hon. A. B. Meacham
Supt Indian Affairs
Salem. Oregon.