FIFTH ANNUAL REPORT. 
11 
above it, they indicate a cliff. The heights of many definite points, 
such as road corners, railroad crossings, railroad stations, sum¬ 
mits, water surfaces, triangulation stations and bench marks are 
also given on the map. The figures in each case are placed close 
to the point to which they apply, and express the elevation to 
the nearest foot. 
In addition to indicating relief and actual elevation above sea 
these maps show all other natural features such as lakes, ponds, 
rivers, streams, canals, swamps and all cultural features includ¬ 
ing public roads, railroads, towns, cities, county and State 
boundaries. 
The topographic maps thus prepared find many uses. They 
are above all essential to the proper planning of drainage opera¬ 
tions throughout all of the interior of the State. It is a well- 
known fact that we have in Florida, particularly in the flatwoods 
section, large areas of land that although not actually flooded 
yet would be much improved by the more rapid removal of the 
heavy summer rains. Other large and valuable tracts of land, but 
little used at present, by a proper system of drainage, can 
ultimately be made valuable and productive land. The topogra¬ 
phic maps such as are here contemplated are essential to the 
proper planning of drainage operations. 
The topographic maps are of very great assistance in the 
preparation of detailed soil maps. They afford first of all an 
exact base map of the area to be surveyed, thereby reducing the 
cost of the soil map about one-half. They also facilitate the study 
of the soils which bear well known relations to drainage and 
moisture conditions. In detailed geologic mapping and in the 
study of the mineral resources topographic maps are practically 
necessary for the detailed final reports. 
Topographic maps find many additional uses. They are of 
very great assistance in the laying out and developing a system 
of public roads, showing as they do the relief of the land includ¬ 
ing hills, depressions and valleys. In planning the location of 
railroads, canals, waterways or other public improvements thev 
are of great assistance. Finally they afford to the land owners 
