DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1931 87 



where magnetic observations were made, together with the mean reading of the 

 magnetic needle at the point of observation. 



The lines were chained twice, first with a steel band two chains in length, 

 graduated in links, then with a steel band two hundred feet in length, graduated in 

 feet. Where the ground was hilly or broken, clinometers were used to determine 

 the slopes, and the horizontal distances were deduced from the measured angles. 

 On the base line, two separate chain parties were maintained, and one pair of 

 chainers measured the distance in chains and links, while the other pair obtained 

 the distance in feet. On the meridian lines the distances were first obtained in 

 chains and then measured in feet by the same men. An examination of the 

 returns shows that with two separate parties, the average difference in measure- 

 ment per mile was 0.55 feet, while the average difference was 0.46 feet when the 

 same men made both measurements. The differences were, of course, sometimes 

 in one direction, and sometimes in the other, and we find that the mean of the 

 check measurements works out to 5,280.09 feet between mile posts. 



Posts were made from the most durable wood obtainable; they were at 

 least six inches square and were carefully hewn, carved and planted. Rock 

 was available for cairn building at only a small percentage of the posts, and it 

 was generally necessary to dig pits. 



Except where it was found impossible to do so on account of swamp or 

 water, standard iron posts were planted at the end of each third mile, and pits 

 were dug as set out in the general instructions relating to such posts. Where 

 it was found impossible to plant the iron posts at the mile points, witness posts 

 were planted on the nearest suitable ground, and were appropriately marked. 

 Very little rock was encountered, and but one rock post was planted during the 

 season. 



Care was taken to insure that the line was well blazed. On the most 

 easterly meridian, some burnt areas were crossed, on which there were no trees 

 of sufficient size for blazing, but in general the line is thoroughly marked in this 

 way. 



General Features 



With the exception of the extreme easterly and westerly portions, the 

 townships outlined are drained by tributaries of the Little Abitibi River. To 

 the south lie the Abitibi Hills, and the south end of each of the meridians run 

 showed the influence of the more broken lands in that direction. 



The easterly meridian crossed a succession of sand ridges, and so far as we 

 could tell, these extended for some distance to the eastward. About two and a 

 half miles east of the Township of Bragg, we have indicated on our plan two hills. 

 These are very prominent land marks, and they can be seen for miles in all 

 directions. 



Speaking generally, the townships consist of gently rolling or level clay 

 land, much of it possessing good agricultural possibilities. No extensive muskegs 

 were encountered, nor did we find any but very local outcrops of rock. 



Canoe Routes, Etc. 



The territory in which our work lay, though relatively close to the railroads, 

 is not as readily reached by water as many parts of Northern Ontario. We 

 have indicated the route used to get to Little Abitibi Lake. With high water 

 the Floodwood River could be used to reach the easterly part of the work. 

 The stream was travelled by our party between Little Abitibi Lake and the 



