“ The average annual rainfall for the State is 20 inches, being 30 to 40 inches in the eastern third, 20 to 30 inches in the centre, and 15 to 20 inches in the west, where it is insufficient for agriculture. The other parts of the State also suffer occasionally from drought. The soil in the greater part of the State is of excellent quality, and when sufficiently watered is rendered highly productive. ”

“ Proposed amendments must secure the approval of a majority of the members elected to each House, and a majority of the electors voting at a popular election. Upon the approval of two-thirds of the members elected to each House and a majority of the people voting at a popular election the Legislature shall call a constitutional convention. Voters must be citizens, or foreigners who have declared their intention of becoming citizens and have resided in the United States one year, in the State six months, in the county thirty days, and in the election precinct ten days, Pierre is the capital. ”

“ In the east there is a subsoil of glacial till covered with a dark alluvial loam rich in nitrogen and again covered with many inches of black vegetable mold. A large part of the west has also a fine alluvial soil, but large areas here are stony and barren. The bottomlands of the Missouri and the terraced floors of its valley are very fertile. ”

“ With the exception of an irregular salient angle in the southeast between the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers, and a reëntering angle in the northeast formed by Lakes Bigstone and Traverse, the boundaries of the State are straight lines running along meridians and parallels, and forming a rectangle 200 miles wide and 380 miles long. The area is 77,650 square miles, of which 76,850 square miles, or 49,184,000 acres, are land surface. South Dakota ranks twelfth in size among the States. ”

“ The people have the right to propose measures, which the Legislature must submit to a vote of the electors. The people may further require that, with certain exceptions, any laws enacted must be submitted to the people, and not more than five per cent. of the electors are required to invoke these initiative or referendum rights. ”

“ The mining activities consist mainly of quartz gold mining carried on in the southwest corner of the State. Difficulties in securing water have operated against the development of gold-mining, but elaborate and expensive schemes have been undertaken to secure adequate water supplies, and the output of gold is becoming larger. ”

“ There were only 5.2 persons to the square mile in the State. There are five towns having (1904) more than 5000 inhabitants each. In 1900 Sioux Falls had a population of 10,206, Lead City 6210, Yankton 4125, Aberdeen 4087, and Mitchell 4055. South Dakota sends two members to the National House of Representatives.
Religion. The Catholic Church includes about one-thirteenth of the inhabitants. The Lutherans are the strongest Protestant denomination.
Education. In 1900 only five per cent. of the population over ten years of age were illiterate. ”

“ Owing to the large scattered rural population, the educational difficulties have been extreme. In 1900 there were only 176 graded schools, as against 3191 ungraded, the former being almost wholly in the towns. ”