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[[preprinted]] 130 [[/preprinted]]

In the Field, Nez Perce
Sept. 16  9

Hon. Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Sir:
The rugged nature of the land, in places upon the reservation, where tracks are broken by ledges of Rim-rock, varying from 6 to 30 feet high, and from 2 to 40 rods in width, this Rim-rock often dividing two benches of good land which then form terraces, so to speak, seems to demand that the area contained in this solid or broken rock should be deducted, and not included in the acreage of an allotment. To present this matter clearly I enclose the diagram of an allotment, made to an Indian named "Tom Lincoln," which shows how this Rim-rock meanders through six forties and how rocky gulches cut up the tract. In this instance, the Rim-rock does not divide the agricultural land but the grazing from the agricultural. Water is very important, as except where there are springs, it is difficult to obtain it. This is owing to the elevation, of the land, the river beds being from 3700 to 1000 below