Stock Raising.— Stock raising from the first settlement of the State has been a prominent feature of agricultural enterprise. The vast reaches of prairie uplands bordering the rivers of the State are ideal pasture lands for both cattle and sheep, also horses range on these lands and are grown in profitable numbers. But cattle have from the early days of terri torial times been the favorite animal to produce and market. Many large herds have been de veloped on prairie grass which grows in enor mous quantities fitting cattle for the market without any grain supply whatever. Hogs are in recent years receiving more attention and render excellent returns for the care and feed they require.
Manufactures.— In 1914, measured by the value of products of its manufacturing indus tries —$24,138,566— South Dakota ranked 45th among the 48 States comprising continental United States, holding the same rank in re spect to wage-earners, with an average of 3,788 engaged in such industries. In that year there were reported in operation 898 establishments, having an invested capital of $15,059,583 and paying $2,628,152 in wages to 3,788 wage-earners.
The cost of raw materials was $17,079,357; the value of products $24,138,566, leaving the value added by manufacture at $7,059,209. The fol lowing table shows the relative importance and strength of the various industries in the State: To this list may be added that of the pack ing-house industry. There are several of these in the State, the largest of which is located at Sioux Falls where there are more than a thou sand persons engaged in that industry, one firm having a pay-roll of over $60,000 per month. At Huron the farmers have erected a big pack ing-house. Canning factories are also being established in several sections of the State. One of the largest of these is a corn-canning plant just outside the city of Parkston in Hutchin son County. Here there is an enterprise pro ducing canned corn to the extent of 15,000 to 20,000 cans per year, with a promise of larger production in the near future. The plant is operated but a few days each year when corn is prime for such a process, hence it does not give constant employment. It is, however, sug gestive of the spirit and enterprise of the peo ple in the State.
Mineral Resources.— These are gold, build ing stones, silver, clays and lead. Gold is the most valuable of these metals and was first discovered in the Black Hills by a soldier with Custer's troops in 1874. The richest deposits of gold are in Northwestern Hills and there is located one of the largest gold mines in the world. The Homestake at Lead yields half a million per month and is famous for its magnitude and scientific operation. South Dakota has large quantities of excellent build ing material and these rank second in value. The Dakota sandstone which outcrops about the edge of Black Hills makes handsome and durable building material. At Dell Rapids and Sioux Falls are large deposits of hard pink quartzite which also makes durable and beauti ful buildings. Deposits of gypsum occur in
the hills and quantities of chalk stone are found along the Missouri from Yankton to Chamberlain. This is nearly pure chalk and is suitable for manufacture of Portland cement. Materials for making brick are widely dis tributed over the State.
Railway Mileage.— South Dakota has 4,832 miles of railway. Of this the Chicago, Mil waukee and Saint Paul and the Chicago and Northwestern own much the largest amount.
Education.—This important subject receives special consideration from the people of the State. When the State was admitted into the Union, Congress set apart the 16th and 36th section of every township for benefit of the public schools of the State. It also, by act of 18 Feb. 1881, specified that none of the Fed eral lands granted for educational purposes should be sold for less than $10 per acre. This was a wise feature and was incorporated into the South Dakota constitution by those who formulated that important instrument. By ob serving this Federal requirement the school lands have been conserved until they have become valuable and some have been sold recently for more than $100 per acre. The public school fund of the State has grown to large propor tions and was at the close of the fiscal year 1917 $9,268,235.17. The Federal lands granted by Congress to the State for educational, penal and benevolent institutions amounted to 500,000 acres. The different State educational institu tions were given donations from this inheri tance as they were established by the State leg islature. For example, the State University was given 40,000 acres; the State agricultural College 40,000 acres, which with the 120,000 acres given to it direct by Congress, makes its land endowment 160,000 acres. From this source, rent of college land and interest on its endowment fund, the college now receives over $30,000 a year income. The State normals at Madison and Spearfish each received 40,000 acres, and the other State schools as they were established were given a part of the public do main. The public school system is presided over by a State Superintendent of Public In struction, elected by popular vote, whose de partment is composed of a staff of educational experts in charge of the various phases of pub lic school activity. One man is supervisor of rural and consolidated schools, another is in spector of high schools, while others carry on the work of teacher examinations and certifica tion. Very radical changes are now being made in the educational system of the State. Consolidation of rural schools is coming fast and means much to the present and future child of the State. School activities no longer consist only in mental gymnastics, but include skill in handwork and training for industrial careers as well as for college and the learned professions.