600 Wisconsin Academy of Sciences , Arts, and Letters. 
southward to the state line. Thus far there have been surveyed 
twenty-three atlas sheets, covering 5,200 square miles. Per¬ 
haps from other causes, but also because the state of Wiscon¬ 
sin did nothing in the matter, this work has been discontinued. 
In contrast with our own state are the states of New Jersey, 
Massachusetts, and Connecticut, which co-operated with the 
United States geological survey, and thus have secured com¬ 
plete topographical maps. It will be noted that no money is to 
be expended for topography unless an equivalent amount be ex¬ 
pended by the United States geological survey. The chief topog¬ 
rapher of this organization has indicated his willingness to 
continue work in the state of Wisconsin, if the state itself 
shows appreciation of what has already been done, by contribut¬ 
ing to the work as other states have done. Thus, if the bill is 
adopted, for every dollar which the survey can put into topog¬ 
raphy, the United States will give an equal amount. 
The great practical' and scientific value of accurate maps 
which express the character of the country, need not be urged 
upon any member of the Academy. These maps are valuable 
on the practical side for the following purposes: They give at 
once the best location for highways; they show the feasibility 
of carrying natural waters of rivers and lakes to cities; they 
show the possibility of draining marsh and swamp lands; they 
show the possibility of inundating lands such as cranberry mar¬ 
shes and the sandy lands of the north during dry seasons; they 
are of value in determining the probable success of projected 
artesian wells; they give accurate bases upon which to place 
the results of the mineral surveys. Other advantages might be 
given, but these need not be mentioned in detail. If every man 
in the state could obtain a map upon which he could see at once 
the location and forms of all hills, valleys, streams, ponds, and 
lakes of any area, he would find it a great advantage to him in 
his every-day practical dealing with his lands. In fact, so well 
recognized is the value of accurate maps, that every civilized 
nation in Europe has made, or is making, large scale accurate 
topographic maps, which show all the physical features of the 
country, and, as has been said, this wise example has been fol 
lowed by a number of the states of the Union. 
