90 SHELL-FISH COMMISSIONERS’ REPORT. [Jan., 
I cheerfully recognize the able manner in which Mr. D. C. San- 
ford and Mr. I. J. Osborn have assisted in the survey. 
These surveys were all plotted ona scale of 1 in 10,000. A 
comparison with the coast-survey tracings evidences the closeness 
of our work. The ten cent per acre charge on the ground sold in 
this section, to date, does not cover the cost of the surveys. I 
realize the necessity of the greatest precision in all the maps from 
which data is taken for buoying out these grounds. The time for 
making these maps is necessarily deferred until an instrument 
suitable to take the few observations necessary to give us a better 
meridian basis is obtained. I do not know how close we may be 
able to maintain the position of the buoys. They swing around 
thirty or forty feet perhaps, but an error of record of that amount 
for a strip a thousand feet long is about one acre, and five years 
hence that little piece may be worth a thousand dollars. 
DUMPING GROUNDS FOR THE MATERIAL DREDGED FROM THE HARBORS. 
As a result of an interview with Col. J. W. Barlow, the engineer 
in charge of the work done by the War Department in this sec- 
tion, a tracing showing the various oyster claims was sent to him 
on July 2d. 
I have obtained a memorandum of the location of the places 
now used for dumping grounds. 
THE GENERAL MAP. 
Of the $2,500 appropriated for this map, only $873.55 have 
been expended, all of which has been for material to be used in 
connection with the same. I consider that one general map of all 
the grounds of the State would be worthless, except for general 
use. The scale would be too small. I therefore recommend a 
series of maps on scales consistent with the matter to be shown. 
Everything will have to be got at in exact detail, and the informa- 
tion already gathered is susceptible of use as may be desirable. 
UNCERTAINTY OF THE PRESENT RECORDS AND SURVEYS. 
On examining a deed presented at the office, the distances were 
given from one corner to three well-known objects. We havea 
coast survey map on a large scale, which gives these objects in 
their true relative position. I took my beam compasses, and, tak- 
ing by scale the distances severally called for, I found that the 
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