18 NEW HAMPSHIRE EXPERIMENT STATION (Bulletin 264 



as a \vhole, and to enter on it any descriptions of lines Avhich were 

 run out or re-established later, since this would minimize the more 

 expensive surveyinsj. 



Now that the information for the whole town has been recorded, 

 there is much less chance that the unsurveyed lines will be forgotten 

 completely, even if they are not actually established until needed for 

 cutting off the wood, sale, or other reason. 



]\Iany of the lines and bounds which are not well established caii 

 he repaired b}' the owners before they become completely obscure, 

 and save or lower the cost of a future surve}'. 



Wliile the methods used in surveying other towns would vary with 

 the conditions in each town, as well as with the detailed aims in 

 view, the general method seems to have proven successful. A U. S. 

 Geological Survey topographic sheet, enlarged, seems the best 

 usual!}' available base map. The scale should vary with the town, in 

 order to make the final map of a convenient size for reference. For 

 the average sized town, 8" to the mile is convenient. This scale ogives 

 sufficient detail, and will not be too large except in towns of 20,000 

 acres or so. It is convenient in that a square inch represents exactly 

 10 acres, and a tenth of an inch equals one chain, (66 feet) the unit 

 usually used in pacing. When this scale is not applicable, a multiple 

 is recommended. Inserts or special maps showing the congested 

 l)arts of the towns on a larger scale may be desirable. 



The conditions in each town will determine which sources of in- 

 formation concerning property lines will be the best to use. It seems 

 advisable to go over the roads, at least, mapping the ends of property 

 lines and getting a general idea of the layout of the town. At the 

 same time, talking with the owners, in order to get the history of 

 the areas, copies of deeds, etc. will secure much valuable information. 

 In this way data needed in making oiit the card index can be obtained. 

 If copies of deeds, plans, etc.. can be collected beforehand in one 

 place - say at the selectmen's office - much time and expense can be 

 saved. 



The main problem will be to decide whether it is more feasible to 

 do most of the work on the ground or in the Registry of Deeds. If 

 the records are available, and someone who knows the country well 

 enough to tell where each deed fits in on the map will help, more ac- ' 

 curate results can be obtained by basing the work on these. If, how- 

 ever, the records are fragmentary, or accurate surveyors' meas- 

 urements are few, and it appears that the lines on the ground are 

 easier to find than accurate d'eeds,';this;plan is the one to use. Ordi- 

 narily some sections of a town will suit one system, others another. 



The low cost of the paced survey>j,%;^<t)f;60urse, its chief argument. 

 The cost of any map will depend on |fne .conditions, especjally as to 

 how well the property divisions are known and whether'^oi' not there 

 are accurate records coverint^ most of the'town to go )|y. ' '"'."' 



Fremont, with 11,1(|) /acres! topH' 1150'man hours'^dtl told. AbBut 

 two thirds .oi this . wa:s 'sji^|it 'i^|^-9oTO(^t mapjiing, 



while one third was necessary 'io draw up the niaps and ref)oVts. 

 This is, of course, exclusive of tj-ie time sp'ent in prepiiring thi^ bulle- 

 tin. Several weeks vvere spent in one area which c6u\d haW been ' 



completed in a day or $o if. the lines had Beeii Vvell known arfd'in godd ' 



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