The Mobridge news. [volume] (Mobridge, Walworth Co., S.D.) 190?-1917, 1912-03-08
Many Inquiries

Brookings.-LAst year the South
Dakota State colleges at Brookings
mailed 25.60O letters in response to
inquiries throughout the state. Most
OF these inquiries have been for ex-
pert advice on some matter relating to
the business Of fruit growing, ami
NAL breeding, the raising of crops,
dairy industry, insect pests, veterinary
troubles, household economies, me-
%chanics, and engineering. At the
rate OF 80 letters per day the profess
sors of the State college are meeting
the call Of the citizens of South
Dakota for information on various and
vital %perpleXing questions. This de-
uonstrates that the South Dakota
State college is probably II of the
most important public servants of the
state.
The Department of Animal Hus-
Dandry. under the direction of Prof
esSor Wilson, answered nearly 10000
inquiries last year relative to some
features of animal breeding, stallion
registration, etc. Professor Hansen of
the Horticultural Department answer
ed close to 400 inquiries regarding
problems in fruit breeding and alfalfa.
Professor Hume of the Agronomy De-
partment dictated about $500 letters
relative to crops and soils in all Sec
lions OF the state. DR.. Brigham OF
the School OF Agriculture carried on
a heavy correspondence relative to
the storter, three year course III agri.
culture, and correspondence educa-
ton. Professor Larsen, and Mr..
Ryger of the Dairy H"usbandry De-
partment and office of the State Dairy
Expert, sent out about 1000 letters
answering inquiries pertaining to the
dairy industry. The Botany and Ento-
mology Department, under the direc-
ton OF DR.. Olive, and Professor Sew
erin, also answered nearly 1000 in
quiries relative to the protection of
crops against wood pests, insect and
animal pests, etc. DR.. Moore of the
Veterinary Department, was constant
ly besieged with inquiries for advice
on the treatment Of diseases OF live
stock. The remainder Of the cores
pondence was quite evenly divided
among the departments or engineer
ing. home economics, chemistry, alum
nj, and the office of the president.
The Chemistry Department is fire.
quentiy requested to analyZe stones
and ores with the hope that the send.
or hoe fntynA N ual,,II1 ,i,n.n1 a..
post. Professor Shepard reports,
however, that he is obliged to give
disappointing replies to nearly all OF
these inquiries.
1t may be readily seen that the
average professor at the State col
lege who is obliged to handle this
correspondence in addition to his reg
ular class work is an extremely busy
man The importance Of the work of
the various departments in giving
first hand and expert replies to the
thousands of inquiries which pour in
annually can not be over-estimated.
Several Of the professors were inter
viewed as to their opinion regarding
the matter Of correspondence, and in.
stead OF suggesting that they were
weary Of it they stated that they
wished that more people in the state
would avail themselves Of the oppor.
tunity. The information is here, and
any person in the state who is beyond
the student age, or unable to attend
the State college, may at any time re-
ceive information by writing any of
the various departments for it. In
fact, although the State college is al
ready getting close to the people.
she can do more for the state if the
people will get closer to the college.