PART ONE— SURVEYING 



CHAPTER I 



AGRICULTURAL SURVEYING 



Surveying. The object of agricultural, or land, survey- 

 ing, in its generally accepted meaning, is to determine and 

 place on record the position, area, and shape of a tract of 

 land. The various steps taken to accomplish this end con- 

 stitute a survey. In addition to the field work with instru- 

 ments for measuring distances, angles, and directions, a 

 field record, containing figures, notes, and sketches concern- 

 ing the work must be kept; the areas must be computed; and 

 usually a map, plat, or profile made showing the tract of land 

 surveyed. The art of land surveying includes all of these 

 various lines of work. 



Uses of Surveying. Agricultural students can well 

 afford to spend some time in the study of land or agricultural 

 surveying. The object of the work here presented on sur- 

 veying is to enable the student to measure and calculate 

 accurately the areas of the various fields of the farm and 

 to locate the buildings; to prepare a good map setting 

 forth the relative size and position of the fields, buildings, 

 and fences, and indicating the drains; and to prepare the 

 student for the study of drainage and irrigation. 



It is necessary for the farmer to know the areas of his 

 fields in order that he may determine accurately the yields 

 of the various crops grown. A survey will enable the farmer 

 to so divide his farm into fields as to facilitate a system of 

 crop rotation. 



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