The work of location has been done in different parts of the state by different methods as seemed most applicable to the differing conditions of relief, forest covering and culture. Throughout most of the western part of the state the work was done entirely with the plane table, using the method of intersections as the means of location. Each plane table sheet comprised one-half of an atlas sheet, cut along a parallel of latitude. The plane tabler, starting with three or more locations upon his sheet, furnished by the triangulation, expanded over the sheet a graphic triangulation, locating thereby a considerable number of points, before commencing detailed work. This was done as rapidly as possible consistent with a high degree of precision. The reason for covering the sheet with the graphic triangulation beforehand lay in the necessity for locating a considerable number of points before the sheet had opportunity to become distorted by alternations of moisture and drying. This done, the plane tabler went on with his usual routine of work, locating minor points and sketching the topography in contours. The map was as far as possible completed upon the stations, with the country in view. Elevations were determined as the work progressed, with the vertical circle of the alidade, and minor differences of elevation between points whose height was known were measured by aneroid barometer.
In this work several different forms of plane table have been employed. It was commenced with the large heavy movement designed I believe by the Coast and Geodetic Survey. This, however, was found unnecessarily heavy and cumbersome, and it was discovered that the requisite degree of stability could be obtained with much less weight. For this plane table movement there was soon substituted another form in use in the Coast and Geodetic Survey, which is very much lighter. This was soon improved by taking off the slow motion in azimuth, which was found to be unnecessary, and the addition of more powerful clamps, for the purposing of rendering it more stable. A still more stable form, however, coupled with even less weight, was designed by Mr. W. D. Johnson, of the U. S. G. S. and was immediately adopted. This is substantially a modification of the ball and socket movement. It consists of two cups of large size fitting closely to one another and working within one another in such a way as to allow of the adjustment in level, and the clamping of the level adjustment independently of the azimuth movement, clamps for both level and azimuth adjustments being underneath the instrument. This form is extremely stable, admits of quick adjustment and leveling, and it has been from the time of its invention in general use in this state and elsewhere in the Survey.