The State Survey of South Dakota. 81 



other the lack of finding them. In most states, to be 

 sure, the greater part of the resources have already been 

 found, but in many cases much valuable work may yet 

 be done. 



This work will be of the nature of determining, 

 with the highest possible degree of accuracy, the manner 

 of occurrence, the geological strata, the distribution and 

 the possible extent of the above named resources, or of 

 any mineral products of economic value. 



One thing more should always be in the mind of the 

 survey in determining the real value of any deposit or 

 formation. Is it accessible? Can the people get it 

 without too much cost? Is it plentiful? Or is it in 

 limited quantities? A coal bed may be within a few 

 feet of the surface, yet in an almost inaccessible locality, 

 or it may be near a city, but many hundred feet below 

 the surface. Location should be studied both geologic 

 and geographic. 



Gold, or some valuable ore, may be found. A small 

 piece will give a very high value per ton when assayed. 

 This may indicate a wonderfully rich mine, or it may 

 prove, on thorough investigation, in such limited quanti- 

 ties as to be of no real commercial worth. It is the 

 business of a survey not only to find the products, but to 

 determine much more than mere location. The question 

 of the material being successfully utilized by the people 

 is really of more importance. 



The above will, of necessity, involve the making of 

 maps and the publication of reports. These should be 

 of such a nature as to be of the greatest possible use to 

 the largest number. 



I am very certain that a state survey should come 

 as near to the masses of the people as is possible. This 

 is true from a two-fold reason: it is for the people, and 

 from them it must get its means of support. This near- 

 ness may be brought about by the survey discovering the 

 possibility of new and valuable industries; or by suges- 

 tions and explorations showing how unprofitable ones 

 may be made to pay; and by giving to the people in 

 published reports such statistics as will show the devel- 

 opment and production of the varied enterprises of gen- 

 eral interest. 



