53 THE FIRST YEARBOOK 



may now supplement his local field studies with the drawing of maps, 

 which will bring into action his knowledge of exact and relative 

 dimensions, and on these he may, as his instruction broadens from the 

 home environment to other lands, the whole earth, and finally to the 

 universe, indicate and discuss the relative position and influence upon 

 each other of all natural, physical, and human phenomena. 



The science of the maker of the geographic base maps, or of the 

 cartographer, rests on a foundation of higher mathematics, including 

 geodesy and astronomy. In like manner the science of topographic 

 surveying is dependent on some knowledge of these and of the various 

 branches of surveying. Hence these branches of geographic teaching 

 should come in the more advanced college grades. The topographic 

 map shows not only the outline plan of cultural and of water features, 

 but also in detail the slopes, shape, and conformation of the. surface of 

 the earth. Hence it is the essential base map on which the geo- 

 morphologist, forester, agrostologist, or hydrographer records and 

 discusses his more intricate studies. Consequently this phase of geo- 

 graphic teaching may wait until such time as the student shall have 

 learned something of geology, botany, physics, and meteorology, as 

 may the study of historical, political, or ethnologic geography wait until 

 some instruction has been given in the sciences which bear these 

 names. 



