They cultivate considerable land, each family separating its little farm from their neighbors' by rush fences. Corn is their principal dependence, of which they raise considerable quantities. The work is done entirely by the women, the primitive hoe being their only implement. They generally have quite a surplus, which they trade to the Dakotas and to the fur companies.
The Arickarees are quite expert in manufacturing a very serviceable kind of pottery, neatly shaped, and well adapted for cooking purposes. They are of clay, hand wrought, but not glazed.
At the present time they number 900, and are associated with 600 Gros Ventres and 420 Mandans at the Fort Berthold agency on the Upper Missouri, where 13,000 square miles has been set apart for them as their reservation. They have 500 acres under cultivation, and are receiving considerable assistance from the Government in the way of improved implements. Many houses are being built, and the more progressive Indians are abandoning the old mud-lodges for them.
List of illustrations.
1042. Ku-nugh-na-give-nuk. Rushing Bear.
Head chief; age, 56; height, 5.8-1/2; head, 22-3/4; chest, 39-1/2.
1044. E-gus-pah. Bull Head.
Age, 57; height, 5.4-1/2; head, 23-1/4; chest, 42-1/2.
1043. Che-wa-koo-ka-ti. Black Fox.
Son of Black Bear, a great chief of the tribe. Age, 23; height, 5.5; head, 24; chest, 36-1/4.