standingly read and recited upon by seventh and eighth grade pupils in the practice department of the Northern Normal and Industrial School, or in town and rural schools of the state. The order of topics in the book has been changed somewhat to accommodate it better to the new state course of study. The author wishes to thank those teachers who have used various portions of the manuscript of the text in their schools and have given him many helpful suggestions. He is under a special debt of gratitude for the clear insights, friendly counsel and inspiring co-operation of President George W. Nash, whose splendid career in South Dakota as college professor, Superintendent of Public Instruction and President of the Northern Normal and Industrial School, makes his criticism exceedingly valuable for a work of this character. The author is grateful to Secretary Doane Robinson, of the State Historical Society, for much data; to Judge J. H. McCoy, of the Supreme Court, and Judge Frank McNulty, of the Circuit Court, for numerous suggestions on legal procedure; to Director S. W. Glenn, of the United States Weather Bureau, for his careful and painstaking verification of all of the data on climate; to Professor J. E. Todd, former State Geologist; Professor E. C. Perisho, State Geologist, and Professor C. C. O'Harra for corrections and suggestions on the geography of the state; to Miss Ida B. Moore, of the Northern Normal and Industrial School, for many suggestions of a literary character. He wishes to extend grateful acknowledgment for the co-operation and inspiration he has received from Governor Robert S. Vessey and all of the former governors now living-Andrew E. Lee, Charles N. Herreid, Samuel H. Elrod and Coe I. Crawford; from Superintendent of Public Instruction. C. G. Lawrence and all of the former superintendents now living-W. H. H. Beadle, Frank Crane, E. E. Col lins, G. W. Nash, M. M. Ramer and H. A. Ustrud; from C. E. Swanson and J. Fred Olander, formerly connected with the Department of Education, and from many of the county superintendents and members of the legislature. He is under a special debt of gratitude to former Governor William Jayne for the inspiring message which he has written for this book. He wishes also to acknowledge the counsel and help he has received from Mr. Edward T. Taubman. The splendid index is the painstaking work of the author's son, Willis Leslie Johnson. While recognition is gladly extended to the persons mentioned and to many others, the author assumes complete responsibility for any errors or other defects in the book. A PLAN FOR STUDY A South Dakota Scrap Book It is suggested that every pupil studying this book in the seventh or eighth grade, make a scrap book on South Dakota, its geography, civics and history. A loose-leaf note book answers the purpose splendidly. If one cannot be purchased it can be made by the pupil very easily from any good-sized old book. A few pages should be cut out here and there to make room for the articles and pictures pasted in. A very good paste may be made by wetting a little flour in cold water, then letting it boil until it thickens. When cold, stir in a few drops of formaldehyde and the paste will not get mouldy. A few drops of essence of peppermint will give it an agreeable odor. Watch the newspapers and magazines for articles about South Dakota, or some portion of it. Clip these out and neatly paste them in the scrap book. Put in pictures of state and county officers, court houses, the capitol building, public school buildings, the buildings at the state university and colleges and normal schools of the state, prominent educators and others who are engaged in notable or public work in the state. A few scenes representing different portions of the state, occupations and industries may be added. There should be included some of the maps, charts and diagrams made by the pupils as suggested in this book. When finished, an index should be carefully made. If the scrap book is presented at the time of the county eighth grade examination, it will certainly receive some consideration, and the best ones may be sent to the state fair. |