28 A MANUAL FOR NORTHERN WOODSMEN 



of identifying a surveyor's work is recognized by all the 

 courts. The handling of the problem in the field may be 

 made clearer by the accompanying figures, reproduced 

 from Circular No. 16, Division of Forestry, United States 

 Department of Agriculture. 



6. NOTES 



Notes should be full and exact so as to furnish for the 

 benefit of later comers a complete record of the work done. 

 In the case ofresurveys they should be particularly clear 

 as to the old marks found, so that the evidence which gov- 

 erned in the resurvey may be a matter of record. This 

 rule holds especially in regard ' to starting points and 

 corners. 



The date of a survey is an important thing to record 

 clearly, along with the meridian which was used, whether 

 magnetic, true, or one assumed for the occasion. 



Notes should be so plainly and clearly written that any 

 fairly intelligent man can understand them. They should 

 be honest as well, not concealing actual errors. When the 

 lines of a survey do not close in exactly, it may not be worth 

 while to rerun them, but there ought at least to be no dodg- 

 ing of the facts. It is only an incompetent surveyor who 

 will not acknowledge his errors. Errors are normal and 

 to be expected. They grow out of imperfections in 

 method that are imposed on the surveyor by limitations 

 in the matter of expense. Errors are not to be confused with 

 mistakes or blunders. 



The notes of a timber land survey should also be full as 

 regards topography. Such notes often give great assist- 

 ance in the relocation of lines and corners. They are also 

 of value to the owner and operator of such property. 



7. PARTY AND COST 



The great advantages of compass and chain surveying 

 for woods work are that it is sufficiently accurate for most 

 purposes, und that the cost involved is very moderate. Six 



