LESSON 7 
PaceD SURVEY 
HE object of this lesson is to explain the usual 
methods of making paced surveys. Such surveys 
are frequently used in landscape gardening. It 
is important that everyone who does any sort 
of work in landscape gardening, even the pupil 
) in school or college, should be familiar with the 
practical methods employed and should have 
some experience in making surveys. 
Definition 
A paced survey is one in which all, or most of the distances 
are measured by the worker pacing, or walking, from point to 
point. Sometimes when large areas are to be mapped as in military 
work, distances are measured by counting the steps taken by a 
horse, or by observing the time taken by a horse to traverse them. 
Discussion 
The paced survey has several practical advantages. It can be 
made quickly by one man working alone without expensive instru- 
ments. It is therefore rapid and inexpensive. Without previous 
practice the average man will work to about 10% of accuracy, making 
the distances foo short on account of over-stepping. With practice 
it is possible to reduce the error to two or three per cent. 
Although not absolutely accurate as to distances the relation- 
ships of parts are correct, and such surveys are accurate enough for 
plans to accompany general directions and explanations to assist- 
ants and clients, for rearrangement plans where little grading is 
proposed, for approximate location of details for the guidance of 
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