1920-21 DEPARTMENT OF LAXDS AND FOEESTS. 69 



post came in water, the iron post was planted beside the wooden post on the 

 nearest shore, and was similarly marked. The iron post in every case was a 

 piece of 1^^ in. iron pipe, 3 feet long, pointed at one end and forged at the other, 

 and painted red. Wherever possible, two bearing trees were marked with the 

 letters B.T. and the distance and bearing of each tree recorded in the field notes. 

 Substantial stone mounds were erected around the posts wherever stones could 

 be secured. 



The base line, as previously stated was run west astronomically on six mile 

 chords, of a parallel of latitude, and the same system of planting and marking 

 the posts was followed as in the meridian line, excepting that as the base line 

 was 40 miles long, and as I was only supplied with 10 iron posts for this line, it 

 was obviously impossible for an iron post to be planted every three miles. It was 

 decided to plant an iron post at the end of every six mile chord, and the rest 

 at three mile intervals, where convenient. Iron posts were therefore planted at the 

 following miles: 6, 12, 15, 18, 31, 24, 27, 30, 36 and 40. 



On account of the length of the line, and the fact that no check was possible, 

 the line was cut out wide enough to permit of the longest possible sights. The 

 instrumental work was almost all done by Mr. W. B. Beatty, O.L.S., and he was 

 most careful and accurate in his work. Only twice was it necessary to make a 

 correction of more than two minutes in the bearing of either the meridian or 

 the base line. Transit stations in swampy ground were avoided as much as 

 possible, but wherever they were absolutely necessary, stakes were driven deep 

 into the ground for the tripod to rest upon, and a platform built where necessary 

 for the transitman to stand upon. A Waltham sidereal watch was used, and 

 observations for both azimuth and watch correction were taken at every oppor- 

 tunity. These observations were all taken in daylight, and the azimuth calculated 

 by means of the tables supplied by the Surveyor-General at Ottawa, for such 

 purposes, A table showing the results of the observations and the corrections 

 applied is included in the field notes. 



The chaining was all done by two experienced chainmen, and every precaution 

 taken to ensure accuracy. A five chain tape was always available, and all water 

 stretches under five chains were measured with it, thus avoiding numerous small 

 triangulations. This long tape was of very great assistance in chaining base lines 

 for triangulating across the larger lake>, satisfactory base lines being obtained 

 by this means with much less difliculty than would have been possible with a 

 shorter tape. 



The actual cutting of the line was commenced on May 27th, and completed 

 on September 23rd. 



Attached to the party were Professor Parsons of the Department of Miner- 

 alogy, Toronto University, and two assistants, representing the Bureau of Mines, 

 and Mr. Henry Bell, of Peml)roke, with an assistant. These gentlemen were 

 instructed to report on the geological and on the timber and agricultural pos- 

 sibilities respectively, of the country adjacent to the line. They performed their 

 duties in a most faithful and painstaking manner, and as my time was almost 

 entirely devoted to the carrying on of the operations incidental to the survey, it 

 was impossible for me to see as much of the country as they did. They will 

 present their own reports, and will deal with their respective subjects in a detailed 

 manner, that is impossible for me, for obvious reasons. A few general remarks 

 on the economic possibilities and physical features of the country, however, may 

 not be out of place. 



