Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1906-08-02

settlers in all the new states, and that
South Dakota has so carefully pro-
vided for the educational welfare OF
those who seek homes within her
borders certainly rebounds greatly to
her credit. The public schools of the
state have been more literally en-
dowed with land, located in the most
desirable sections, and therefore con-
,stantly increasing in value.
Roughly estimated, the acreage thus
set apart for educational purposes ex-
ceeds 2,150,0O0, and in addition to this
over 655.000 acres have been given to
the state university, the agricultural
college, the normal schools, the school
of music and the various asylums for
the unfortunate.
Has Cause for Pride.
Certainly this is record of which
South Dakota can justly feel very
proud. While speaking of this ques-
ton Of schools, want to call atten-
ton to the excellence of the agricultur-
al college of South Dakota, located at
Bookings, 1t has some very fine, well
appointed buildings and it's courses OF
study are planned on such a broad,
liberal, and, more than all, practical
basis. that 1t cannot help but have a
large and enthusiastic student body.
In fact, 1t at present stands third on
the list of agricultural colleges In the
various states in the number enrolled
as students. From the United States
government this college derives an in
come of $4,000 a year, and this is a
great aid in the carrying on Of It's ex-
periments. Such college as this is of
inestimable worth In a state where
there is SO much diversified farming,
for the farmers sons are taught the
most scientific means of cultivating
the soil, and in this way they can get
the largest returns for the money
which they are investing. The soil
throughout the state is SO fertile that
the most varied grains and fruits
grow we'll, and the experiments yearly
tried at the agricultural college are
constantly opening new lines OF
products for the ambitious farmer.
Especial attention has been paid there
during the last few years to expert
have been marvellous in many in
stances. Staple fruits, apples, pears
and plums, also Strawberries, have
been developed In variety .of ways
and in fneness Of flavor, as we'll as
size, they are unexcelled Already
these South Dakota products have
gained an enviable reputation and are
readily marketable in the Northwest
lern states. Much assistance is also
given these fruit farmers by the state
horticultural society, whose reports
show just what is being done each
year in all the counties OF the state.
Great Tide Of immigration.
When one stops to consider the
great advantages which are to be
found in South Dakota and are lack
ing in many other young states, one
does not wonder at the size of the tide.
Of immigration which is flowing into
the state and populating what has
been the ranching districts, especially
in the western portion, beyond the
Missouri river. In this region there,
are yet unoccupied government lands
and also large tracts of excellent farm
ing land which has been held by the
large ranch owners for grazing pur-
poses, and which can be bought at
very reasonable figures, ranging from
SIS to $40 an acre. Even the improved
land in many counties can be bought
at prices which seem cheap when the.
quality of the soil and the improve
ments are considered. ranging from
$40 to $35 per acre.-V Van erhoof in
Minneapolis Journal.