28 A MANUAL FOR NORTHERN WOODSMEN 
of identifying a surveyor’s work is recognized by all the 
courts. The handling of the problem in the field may be 
made clearer by the accompanying figures, reproduced 
from Circular No. 16, Division of Forestry, United States 
Department of Agriculture. 
6. Notes 
Notes should be full and exact so as to furnish for the 
benefit of later comers a complete record of the work done. 
In the case of resurveys they should be particularly clear 
as to the old marks found, so that the evidence which gov¬ 
erned in the resurvey may be a matter of record. This 
rule holds especially in regard to starting points and 
corners. 
The date of a survey is an important thing to record 
clearly, along with the meridian which was used, whether 
magnetic, true, or one assumed for the occasion. 
Notes should be so plainly and clearly written that any 
fairly intelligent man can understand them. They should 
be honest as well, not concealing actual errors. When the 
lines of a survey do not close in exactly, it may not be worth 
while to rerun them, but there ought at least to be no dodg¬ 
ing of the facts. It is only an incompetent surveyor who 
will not acknowledge his errors. Errors are normal and 
to be expected. They grow out of imperfections in 
method that are imposed on the surveyor by limitations 
in the matter of expense. Errors are not to be confused with 
mistakes or blunders. 
The notes of a timber land survey should also be full as 
regards topography. Such notes often give great assist¬ 
ance in the relocation of lines and corners. They are also 
of value to the owner and operator of such property. 
7. Party and Cost 
The great advantages of compass and chain surveying 
for woods work are that it is sufficiently accurate for most 
purposes, and that the cost involved is very moderate. Six 
