The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1914-02-05
LARGEST EDUCATIONAL
Institution in the State Says
President Hill
OF the South Dakota State Fair
Board, the Meeting of Corn, Grain
AID Live Stock Breeders As
ISOLATION.

THE South Dakota State Fair is
the largest educational institution in
the State, and it has more students
and more instructors than any 9TH
err" said William Hill, president OF
the State Fair Board, before last
nights session of the Corn and Grain
and Live Stock Breeders Associa-
tons. This educational institution
was attended last year by about l0O,-
GOO students, who were in charge Of
more than 700 instructors"
President Hill stated his belief
that the educational value of the
State Fair is often underestimated.
There are many things to learn, and
in fact many people do profit by what
they see. He said further that the
course of study is broad enough to
meet the needs of each and every
citizen of our State. Here, for the
short term that this school is in OPP
Grafton everyone can take just such
a line of study as may appeal to
them. Here the farmer may find all
kinds of the finest specimens of live
stock TO be found in the world. He
can make a study of them from real
life. In fact, this school differs from
all others in that respect. Here one
is not studying theories, but is deal
ing with the real thing. Here are to
be found the finest kinds of grains
and fruits. The very latest things
in improved machinery are 10 be
seen in operation.
The housewife can find things of
practical interest in this school, such
as sewing, cooking and fancy work.
Time will not permit me to enumer-
ate many of the things TO be seen
and studied in this great school. |
will say, however, that at last years
State Fair there were more than five
thousand object lessons from real
life.
New Features.
In order to be progressive and up
to-date the faculty are adding new
courses of study constantly. | men
ton a couple that will be added the
coming year. For years liberal prem
iums have been offered and paid for
the exhibition of the finest speci-
mems of live stock. This will be on
llluSu anu NeIy ldlls ihNitdS-
ed. But a new feature is to be add
ed, by which premiums will be offer
ed to encourage the growing of bet
ter and healthier babies. A baby
health contest is to be conducted
that | am sure will add much inter
est. Another new feature will be the
boys camp. BY means of certain con-
tests to be conducted in every county
Of our State, II boy from each
county will be entitled to a free scho-
larship in this school with all ex-
penses paid. This should and doubt
less will, increase the interest of the
boys of the State.
you may say: Other institu-
tons of learning provide a certain
amount of amusement and recrea-
ton for their Students Here again
we Guido them all. In other words,
we are long on amusements. The
faculty sometimes think hat many
that attend are more interested in
the amusement features than in any
other, but probably the same could
be said of our sister institutions. In
attending this school one is not re-
CURED to hump over a desk and dig
knowledge out of a ext book. One
is not confined to any certain build
ing or room, but is at liberty to go
and come at their pleasure, so long
as they behave themselves. The fac
ulty have an arrangement with a
body of young men in our State
known as the State Militia that see
to it that the department of the stu
dents as we'll as that of the instruct
oTs is looked after. A hospital on
the campus is provided to are for
the sick or injured, this being under
the direct supervision of the Militia.
With great pride, Mr.. Hill called
attention to the material growth of
the State Fair equipment, attend
ance, exhibits and general interest.
Favorable legislation is being secur-
ed for the necessary improvements,
New buildings are added, including
a $4,000 machinery hall and a
$4,000 dairy building. The State
Fair last year displayed nearly 900
horses, many from South Dakota,
nearly 400 cattle, more than 400
swine, nearly 200 sheep, and over
1000 birds in the poultry depart,
ment.
In some respects this South Dako-
ia Exposition surpasses any others
in the whole country. Its giant tract,
or exhibit is the largest in the world
Next year one half section of land
will be offered for blowing demon.
STATIONS. In the exhibits of short,
horns and of fat cattle, the South Da,
kota Fair was larger than either
Minnesota or Iowa. Next year viii
be still better. Premiums will be-
80 -l -, z,N-v -
fered to both exhibitors and visitors
to make the South Dakota State Fail
truly great, a real agricultural fair
and an influential factor in the edu
cational uplift of the State.