The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-01-12
Work OF the Maryland Geological
Survey.

Jul HCys
The Maryland Geological Survey has
Just issued its biennial administrative
report in which the operations of the Sur
vey during 1904 and 1905 are discussed.
The Survey was originally organized by
act of the General Assembly of 1896 and
consists of two divisions. The Geolog-
ical Division is occupied in the prepar-
alton of topographic, geologic, and agri
cultural soil maps as we'll as in making
magnetic determinations stream measur-
ments, and forestry Investigations. The
Highway Division is engaged in the con-
struction of county highways, in making
tests of materials to be used on the streets
and roads throughout the State, and in
surveying State properties.
During the past two years the topo-
graphic surveys of Baltimore, Somerset,
Wicomico. Dorchester, Caroline, and
Queen Anne's counties were made,
which, with the counties earlier covered,
complete three-quarters of the State.
This topographic map is on the scale of
one mile to the inch and shows all
streams, roads and houses, as we'll as the
relief of the land, and furnishes a much
needed map for all economic, industrial
and military purposes.
Following the completion of the tope
graphic base map the geological forma-
tons, agricultural soils, and forest areas
are plated, and maps accompanied by
Explanatory texts issued. The results OF
all of this work are of great practical
benefit to the State, and the reports and
maps which the Maryland Geological
Survey issue have been extensively re-
viewed in trade and scientific journals,
both in this country and in Europe, and
are considered by all second to none is.
sued by any similar organization. Gold
medals were awarded the reports and
maps both at Charleston and St. Louis.
The Survey takes great pride in the high
standard it has maintained in its publ.
cations and the universal recognition
which its work has received.
The State Geological Survey also has
direction of the Highway work under
the State Aid Highway Act which was
passed in 1904, by which the State meets
one half the expense ''of macademized
or of telford or of other stone road or
of road constructed of gravel, or OF
other good materials, in such a manner
that the same will be, with reasonable re-
pairs thereto, at all seasons of the year
firm, smooth and convenient, for travel''
when such road is built under the plans
and specifications of the Survey. Con
tracts have been already let for 40. 46
miles of such road in IA counties and
23I5 miles were built by December 81.
! Good modern roads may seem expen.
sive, but they are really far less so to the
public than bad highways. The roads
which the State of Maryland is construct
ing are costing no more than similar
roads IN other States, and they will prove
"a permanent investment for our people
1t is far more economical in the long run
to build structures which require but a
small amount for maintenance than to do
cheap temporary work that will constant
| ly require repair to say nothing of the
comfort and pleasure to be derived from
GOOD work, and of the great reduction in
cost of repairs to vehicles aud in the
alton of freight over smooth,
Graded roads The importance
is quickly made apparent in
ARlue of real estate and in
all conditions sur
fe. As his excel