ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT 13

 As a base map on which to show the distribution of different soil types topographic maps are of very great assistance. Not only do they serve as an exact base map for the area to be soil surveyed, thus reducing the cost of the soil map itself, but they facilitate the study of the soils which, as is known, bear close relations with drainage and moisture conditions. They are practically indespensable in the preparation of detailed, final geologic maps and reports.
 The accumulation of oil or gas in commercial quantity is greatly dependent upon favorable geologic structure of formations. With the constant increase of interest in the problem of oil and gas being found in Florida, topographic maps could facilitate accurate work on geologic structure. In a state like Florida, with comparative little relief and consequently but few continuous exposures of the different geological formations, evidence of structure must be gotten from many single disconnected exposures. The working out of structure so as to determine anticlines, synclines and folds in the strata is no easy problem at best, but these, maps, showing as they do elevations by means of contours at io-foot intervals, would make the problem easier of solution.

CO-OPERATION' WITH UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING.

 It is with an appreciation and realization of the value of such maps that the Florida Geological Survey is desirous of co-operating with the United States Geological Survey in their preparation. As many as 24 quadrangles lying wholly or partly within the State and covering about 250 square miles each, have already been topographically surveyed. According to an estimate by the United States Geological Survey the mapping so far completed covers seven per cent of the total area of the State. From the same. source it is learned that only one other State in the entire United States falls below this percentage. All of the areas mapped, except seven lying in central peninsular Florida embracing a portion of the hard rock phosphate belt, and surveyed shortly after the. discovery of phosphate, have been mapped in recent years. In fact, it was due primarily to military necessity for the information gained from such maps that the War Department co-operated with the United States