THE TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF MICHIGAN. 155 



accurate geologic work, and for the adequate presentation of the results 

 of geologic surveys. To sustain this statement I might present detailed 

 statistics of the large sums that have been applied from appropriations 

 for geologic surveys, for purely topographic work, both in European coun- 

 ties, and by our Federal and some of our State geologic surveys. Sev- 

 eral states, however, including Michigan, have ignored the fact that topo 

 graphic should precede geologic surveys, or have been unable to bear the 

 expense of preparing topographic maps for the use of their geologists, 

 but, instead, have required them to do Avhat they could without maps, 

 or piece together such diagram-maps as were available. In all such in- 

 stances the best geologic work that could be done was in large part pro- 

 visional, and in most cases re-surveys became imperative. By this il 

 logical method the preparation of final reports has been long delayed, 

 and much valuable time and large sums of money wasted. 



The urgent demand of a topographic survey of Michigan in aid of the 

 geologic survey that has been in progress with various interruptions since 

 1837, is well expressed in the following extract from a letter by L. L. 

 Hubbard, State Geologist, under date of May 20, 1895: 



''It gives me gTeat pleasure to express my appreciation of the efforts 

 made by the Michigan Academy of Science to procure the enactment of 

 legislation to authorize the construction of a topographic map of the 

 State. The absence of such a map is a constant regret to the members 

 of the Geological Survey, not only in their office work, but particularly 

 in the field. We now have to use copies of township plats made fifty 

 years ago, when apparently no great effort was made, or, under the con- 

 ditions then existing, could be made to delineate the topography with 

 any approach to detail. To improve these maps and to locate our speci- 

 mens we often have to meander roads at a great loss of time, and we 

 never can be certain of the accuracy of our barometrical observations, 

 which in themselves take much time unless, we employ an extra man to 

 make simultaneous observations at some point of known altitude. You 

 can appreciate the difficulty of correlating beds that outcrop at different 

 horizons, when the difference of altitude is unknown. 



^'Indeed, if we had a good topographic map, I am sure we could save 

 a great deal of money and do more work in a given time than we do now. 

 We should also know much better where our work could be done to the 

 greatest advantage." 



To Foresters : In the forest culture of Germany and other European 

 countries, topographic maps are in constant use. The setting aside of 

 great forest reserves in the United States was followed immediately by 

 the preparation of topographic maps of their several areas as an initial 

 step to the study of forest conditions, the prevention of forest fires, and 

 the ultimate harvesting of a forest crop. The necessity is thus indicated 

 for accurate topographic maps in the scientific study of the forests of 

 Michigan recently begun, and which promises such great returns, espec- 

 ially in the way of re-foresting our depleted pine-lands. 



In reference to the value to our forestry survey, and through it to every 

 person living in Michigan, of a topographic map of the State, in order to 

 regain in part our vsquandered inheritance, I am permitted to quote the 

 following statements by C. A. Davis, Instructor in Forestry in the I^ni- 

 versity of Michigan, who has made a premilinary study of the forest re- 

 serves of the State : 



"A topographic survey and resulting map, of ^lichigan, is of funda- 



