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Show WDM1 GEOGRAPHER I TALKS IE" Mrs. Florence I. Shafer of the Forest Service Explains Need for Knowledge. .Special to The Tribune. OGDEN. April 8. Although there are comparatively few persons who would not resent the Imputation that they do not understand the avomgc map of a city, state or country tho importance of a good chart to the pcoplo would be much greater If they would acquire the "map-hablt'of-mind" n:id take advantage of the graphic representations, according to Mrs. Florence I. Shafer. In charge of geography for District four of tho forest service. Mrs. Shafer Is one of the few womon employed by tho United States govern -ment as official map-makers. She spent the winter at the Washington office, j where she had an opportunity to con- suit some of tho most complete map eol-lections eol-lections In the world. This woman is particularly Interested In historical maps and In the remarkable changes that map-ping- lias undergone. Speaking of her rc- cnt visit ut the national capital and of her experience in the study of maps, Mrs. Shafor said: There arc a great many pcoplo In this world to whom a map is of little value, simply because they have not a cc ui red the habit of projecting the picture map' Into the reality which it represents. The earth itself Is a map spreud before our eyes, and Avhcn traveling1 about the world If one is Inclined to lose Ills bearings, become "turned around," as we often express it. a little time spent In adjusting the picture map of a country through which wo are parsing to the points of the compass will quickly overcome this disagreeable sensation. In this age when every portion of the globe has been mapped more or less accurately tbo importance of a good chart to the people- in general would be much greater if the avcr-age avcr-age person would acquire the map-habit-of-mlnd and take advantage of those graphic representations. In or-tier or-tier to prove to the reader that this assertion is true he should know that the plan has been recently tried out In the downtown section of Bos- ton with success. After making a careful studv of the map of that city, wltli Its delightful but certainly con-fusing con-fusing medley of curvlnpc. twisting tantalizing little streets. I was able V to find my way about with the grcat- est ease. Tho difficulty many pcoplo havo HBa In understanding- Or making use of a Ba map is probably duo to tho fact that Ba maps which arc of real value ns BBfl truthful representations of the coun- BhB try aro of comparatively recent date. Baa While In Washington I had the op- BBfl portunlty to examine a few of the BBfl most interesting of tho maps con- BBfl talned In what is said to be the larg- BBfl est collection of maps and charts in BBfl tho world, the collection In the 11- BBfl brary of congress. BBfl There arc many old and rare maps, BhB some of them having been mado dur- BBB Ing the sixteenth century, and the BSH most surprising feature, one which BBb Impresses a modern draftsman as tho BBB most extraordinary, is the small BBb amount of Information and the very BBB large amount of omumontatlon. all BBB of which leads one to believe that BBB the modem map-making Is an out- BBB growth of plcturo making. Also that BSB the early cartographer was a person BBB of great Imagination combined with BBB much patience and artistic skill, but. BBB with very little practical knowledge BBB compared to his brother draftsman BBB of the twcntloth century. Mrs. Shafer Is now arranging to prc-BbB prc-BbB pare special maps of the Ivaibab and Yellowstone natlon'al forests for the use BVB of tourists and persons who desire to BhS spend the summer months within tho BBB national reserves. Theso maps will show BhB the streams well stocked with trout, tho BBB main roads, secondary roads, trails, tclc- BBB phone linos, best camping places, points BBB of special scenic interest and other vulu- BBB .iblc Information. |