Oxford Democrat., 1917-07-17
Use Of Topographic Map.

graphic maps, Tor u those IN C0mmAnl
could have studied topographic ma
OF the country about them they woul,
never have subjected their men to sucl
marches as were made and then bav
expected the men to fight. But topog
raphy In It's general sense and % Il I
shown to-day on the maps made BY ,tb
United States Geological Survey Of TIL
Interior Department was little known
in the sixties. The Engineer Corps O
the Army was highly efficient, but th'
topographic engineer did not appear ],
the American army until August 8, 1881
when an act Of Congress authorized th'
enlistment OF one company Of Topographic
engineers. This company was after
ward merged into the Corps OF Engineers
To-day within the wide boundaries o
our country, which embraces more thar
three million square miles, there are ,
hundred million people. They live OF
farms, In villages, and In towns and cities
Their dwelling places may be separated
by broad rivers and rugged mountains
but the use of the topographic map 4
gradually knitting them systematically
together, aud at any time that this vide
spread population may be required tc
move in concerted action for common
cause the Topographic map will give the
leaders q comprehensive view Of IT,
geographic relations, so that the problem
of moving can be solved more quickly
and With good judgment. The topo
graphic map. like the telephone and the
typewriter, has become necessity, and
We wonder now how we have ever done
without It.
The "man in the street" may have
thought little OF the value Of the work
OF the topographic engineer, and TO him
and others who have not considered the
importance of that work some illustra-
tions of its value might be interesting.
A well-known author, soldier, and
Topographic engineer found the topo.
graphic maps of the Geological Survey
indispensable in every branch of biz
work. By studying country before
going into 1t he became so familiar with
the details of many interesting feature'
of which the natives had never heard
that his stories acquired realism that
had he dwelt In the country lifetime.
A party OF Ohioans who expected to
make q winter trip by automobile to
California consulted the topographic
maps of the Survey and planned their
itinerary for the trip with the most
satisfactory and economical results.
Realizing from the maps that they
would travel at high attitudes and would
consequently encounter low tempera-
lures, they made detailed provision to
meet every emergency. They selected
roads that followed the longest levels,
thereby saving "trouble" and gasoline,
not to mention racking delays.
Again, the Topographic map was con-
suited by New York business man who
wanted to hunt bear and big game In
the wilds of New Mexico, and who thus
arranged his plans, with the aid Of some
cores spoudence, at distance OF over
1000 miles. The arrangements included
even the details of the expense for the
necessary pack train for transporting his
party and supplies into country where
the nearest postmaster to some points II
40 miles distant.
The forester depends on the Govern.
ment topographic map to find trails
whereby his sire guards" may reach
their "lookouts'' In the season when
lightning sets fire to the highly inflam-
mable pines and causes immense
monetary losses to the Government.
With the map also be lays out bis tele-
phone lines and draws his permits for
leases to the cattlemen.
A lumbermsn of New Mexico saved
several hundred dollars by purchasing
1O.cent map Of the country IN bis vicinity
and using It to check up the areas he
held under lease. The copper miner
and the owner of q turquoise mine made
fresh discoveries by studying 10.cent
topographic map issued by the Geolog.
ical Survey.
The War Department saved much time
and expense by using Q Survey map
when those in charge of Government
hospital for tuberculosis In the South.
west desired to enlarge the water supply.
The use of the detailed topographic map
was absolutely necessary In Determining
the limits of the drainage area. in deoid-
ing what properties to purchase In order
to include the best and strongest springs,
and In locating sites for dams and reser::
voirs. This work, done BY q trained
topographer with the methods now en-.
ployed BY the Geological Survey, reduced
the cost very materially.
Fifteen cents spent by Q reclamation
engineer in 1909. 10 In connection With
private engineering project saved his
company 5000 and established project
which would never have seemed possible
had not the three Topographic maps be
purchased given him comprehensive
view of several hundred square miles OF
very fiat country in Wisconsin, where
the drainage problems are most intricate
and delicate.
These are but few concrete illustra.
tions of the uses Of the Geological Sur
vey's maps. To-day topography 10 being
taught In the schools, and the coming
generation will more fully appreciate the
many values Of such maps. It is not
unusual to hear the boy or girl studen'
discussing topography-tbe girl for Its
advantages In selecting the most desirable
botanical expedition and the boy In
planning bis "war game with bis fellow
cadet.
There is no limit to the possible uses
of the Governments Topographic maps.
Waste Of Dairy Products In the Home.
<pr p,ook. provu Dairy Insp0ctOrl