The Portland daily press., 1896-09-18
TOPOGRAPHIC ATLAS SHEETS :

TOPOGRAPHIC ATLAS SHEETS :
completed by Massachusetts,, Rhode Is
land, Connecticut and New jersey. and
now being actively pushed forward in
New York. The topographic maps re-
| sulting from such survey differ from
| the ordinary maps or charts commonly
seen, III that they show every elevation
of surface. A knowledge of the distance
and direction of one locality from an
other is not sufficient for most enterpris-
| es. LII is necessary to know the elevation
and undulations of the intervening land
before any correct idea can be obtained
of ways of communication, or of the
character of the country. The next GLASS
OF investigation, second only to the to-
geographic survey, is the hydropraphic
survey which serves to make known tho
volume OF the rivers, their fluctuations,
the possible water powers, extent to
which these are utilized, and possibili-
ties OF III ture employment. With this
should DC joined knowledge of the I'M
foreground waters, of the supplies for
cities and towns and of O ther matters
fundamental to the best sanitary condi-
lions. The third class of work is that
OF the general economical geology, a de-
tailed study of the rocks having com
mercial i'm portance,- the examination of
the olays and Soils of forest and other
natural products, this study being fol
lowed by reports which bring out clearly
the advantages offered for industries
ansd the extension of agriculture.
The first two of these Investigations
are now being carried on in small and
somewhat desultory manner by the gen
eral government in connection with Its
systematic examination of the whole
country. There is only lacking vigorous
action on the part of Maine to take these
matters up--for example through state
geologlst or through board of commits
sioner empowered to assist or cooperate
and to bring these Surveys to AN early
completion. The total land area of the
state is estimated to be 80, s95 square
miles. OF this about 8, 800 square miles
or less than eight per cent has already
been mapped by the u. S. Geological
are termed, may be considered as an az
tension of the Massachusetts Survey
stretching along the coast and up the
Kennebeo river q short distance beyond
Waterville. In all twenty-five atlas
sheets, embracing small portions of New
Hampshire, have been completed. These
serve well to illustrate the Importance
and value of this work when ultimately
complete. Each of these Topographic
atlas sheets is on scale of about one
mile to the inoh and covers one-fourth
of degree of latitude and longitude or
in round numbers, 215 square miles.
Each sheet is Autographed in three col
OILS, the original transfers being taken
from engraved copper plates preserved at
Washington. The brown lines give the
elevation of the surface in contours of 20
foot intervals, the blue lines show the
water, and the black lines what is called
the culture, the houses, towns, boundaF-
les, roads and railroads.
The average cost of the
WORK ALREADY DONE IN MAINE
On this scale of one mile to an noh, has
been about 81 per square mile. This has
been, however, in the more thickly set
tied portions along the coast and it will
probably be somewhat more expensive to
survey the rest. or approximately 50 per
SQUARE mile. Massachusetts, Rhode Is
land and Connecticut have taken adyant-
age OF the offer by the general govern
ment by which, If any state will pay
one-half of the field expenses the work OF
surveying will be pushed forward rapid
ly, the other expense, such as that of en-
craving, being borne by the q. S. Geo.
logical Survey. This liberal provision is
now being enjoyed by New York which
nuehtO W m0A1nS loItbltclv Suldll hD-
preparation is having lars amount of
work accomplished. the results of which
cannot fail to stimulate local enterprises.
1t has been estimated by Mr.. II. NJ. Will
son, in charge of eastern topography in
the United States, that for the present
| about IL, 600 square miles of Maine
should be surveyed. Deducting from
this the 3, 800 square miles now mapped,
there is left s, 200 square miles of the
most important part of the state which
should be accurately mapped at as early
a date as possible. This at cost of So
per square mile would make O total of
S73, 800. One half of this If paid by the
state OF Maine would amount to $50, 900.
If the state will appropriate So, 600 a
year or $40. 600 at each biennial session of
the state legislature, the survey of this
important area can be completed in less
chan eight years. whereas at the present
rate if done at oil, it will take many
times 80 long.
The
VALUE OF THESE MAPS
to the industries of the state, to lepis-
lators, to educators, to scientists and to
engineers can hardly be estimated. In
the development of good roads and of
means OF communication, topographic
map is ind Indispensable, as well as for the
study of the photography and economic
geology of the area. Its uses also in
minor ways are manifold. Upon 1t as a
base can be indicated all historical dates.
the progress of the early exploring par.
ties, the localities of their contests with
the savages, the situation of historical or
ancestral estates, as we'll as the surround
ings OF the modem summer resorts. By
consulting the topogra PHO map the
character of the scenery can be deter
mined, the steepness of the roads, the
distance and location of the various
routes of stage lines and all other details
of Importance to the tourist.
In the preparation of these maps it has
been customary to indicate the
BOUNDARIES OF WOODED AREAS.
affording at glance the means of
knowing the relative extent of the wood.
lands and facilitating the study of the
forest resources of the country. In short
there is no Investment that can be made
by the state from which the results will
have larger current value than that of
preparing the fundamental map of its