290 THE MAGNETIC DECLINATION IN CECIL COUNTY 



the surveyor on account of the many fluctuations to which the 

 compass-needle is subject. Surveyors of the county desiring a copy 

 of this report should address the State Geologist. 



Meeidian Line. 



On June 8, 1900, Mr. J. B. Baylor, acting under instructions of 

 the Superintendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey 

 as issued to him, in response to a request from the State Geologist, 

 established a true meridian line at Elkton, in the High School 

 grounds. This line is marked by two substantial monuments, suit- 

 ably lettered and firmly planted in the ground. 



The South Stone was placed within a few feet, of the magnetic 

 station of 1896 and is 36 feet from the west fence around the High 

 School grounds, and 34.5 feet from the south fence. The Xorth 

 monument is about 270 feet due north, and is 30 feet from the west 

 fence of the school grounds and 11 feet from the north fence. The 

 soil is a mixture of black loam and gravel. 



The South Stone being well removed from all disturbing 

 influences, should be the one to be used by surveyors when 

 making their tests. 



The magnetic declination (variation of the compass) reduced to 

 its average value for the day (24 hours) was found by Mr. Baylor to 

 be at the South Stone, June 9, 1900, 5° 21'.3 West. 



Within a feiv feet of this place Mr. L. A. Bauer, on October 12, 

 1896, obtained 5° 12'. West, showing that the north end of the 

 magnetic needle is at the present time moving about 3' per annum 

 westwardly. 



Mr. Baylor found the magnetic declination to be at the Xorth 

 Stone, June 9, 1900, 5° 50'. 5 West, showing the necessity for sur- 

 veyors, making their tests over the same stone and, for reasons stated 

 above, over the South Stone. 



to obtain the mean value of the magnetic declination at the 

 South Stone for any subsequent time, within the next ten years, 



ADD TO 5° 21' AN AMOUNT AT THE RATE OF 3' PER ANNUM FOR THE 

 TIME ELAPSED SINCE JANUARY 1, 1900. 



