Rocky Ford enterprise., 1913-05-02
USE TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS.
Geological Survey Will Make Selec-
tons for Use of ANY School.

lsI q !
For teaching the geography of the
United States in the public schools
and colleges a strong effort is being
made by the United States Geological
Survey to foster the use of the gov
ernment topographic maps. These
maps contain SO many details of local
interest, showing even the school
houses and farm houses as well as
every wagon road, with which of
course the school children are famil-
lar, that it is said to be an easy mat
ter for teachers to enlist the interest
of the pupils in this new type OF
school map. From an understanding
of the particular. maps representing
their own localities it is but a success
sion of short steps to lead the pupils
to an appreciation of the different
types of country portrayed on maps
OF other sections of the United States.
Most of the standard atlas sheets OF
the Geological Survey OF recent issue
are printed on the scale of I mile to
inch, scale which shows the phys
ical features OF the country in very
interesting detail.
With these maps the pupils can de-
termsne the altitude OF their homes
and the steepncss of hills and noun
roads, work out simple engineerink
problems such as the drainage OF
swamps, select dam sites for the con-
struction of reservoirs to supply wat
er to imaginary towns or for irriga-
ton. lay out imaginary trolley or rail-
road lines or canals along the most
feasible routes, establish lookout and
signal stations on high points for the
control of forest fires, and plan many
other similar activities.
The Geological Survey has publish
ed 1900 topographic atlas sheets, COW
ering about 10 per cent of the United
States, and on receipt OF So from any
teacher it will supply so different
maps selected with special reference
to the particular requirements of the
class it is proposed to instruct in this
new kind of geographic study. This
selection will include, besides the
map covering the area where the
school is situated (provided such a
map is published), other maps show
ing all the photographic forms to be
found in the United States-seacoast
areas. hilly country, high, and precip-
itous mountain country, swampy
areas, regions of innumcrabie lakes,
areas showing dense forests, areas
with woodlands interspersed with
many streams, lakes, and other nat
ural features.
If less than so maps are desired, a
special selection of less number will
be made on request and furnished at
the retail rate of 10 cents a copy.
Most of these maps. each OF which on
the I-mile scale covers about 225
square miles. or 10000 acres, have
been made at a cost for surveying
and engraving of $500 to $1,000 each,
and the wholesale price of cents
apiece covers only about the cost of
paper and printing. If the areas were
surveyed and the maps published by
A commercial concern, these maps
would need to be sold for not less
than So to 3 each. The Survey also
sells an excellent wall map about 4
by 6 feet, unmounted Cin three Sec
tions). for 90 cents. This may be in
cluded in any wholesale order as part
Of the So. Applications and remit
tances should be made TO the di-
rector of the United States Gcologi-
cal Survey, Washington, ID. C., who
will promptly fill all orders.