—Plans of estates and towns, including as they do only a limited area and requiring great distinctness of detail, are laid down to a large scale; for the form and character of the detail are, on such plans, of equal importance with its position. With such a scale as is required in these cases, it is possible, not only to clearly distinguish natural and artificial features, but to introduce means of producing pictorial effect into their representation. The nature of these means may be seen in the examples of plans appended to this work.
The manner of showing the various kinds of fences has been already described. Trees are usually shown in elevation for the sake of artistic effect; but care must be taken to give them such dimensions as will accord with the scale of the drawing. Houses and other buildings are shown in plan of the correct form, and washed for distinction in light red for dwelling-houses, dark grey for outhouses, and light grey for public buildings. Dark grey is also used for all wooden and iron buildings to distinguish them from those constructed of the ordinary materials, brick and stone. But besides such distinctions, others are needed to indicate the character of natural features and artificial constructions. These are obtained either by showing the object roughly in elevation, or by some purely conventional means. The signs of this character that are likely to be frequently required on estate plans are shown on [Plate 15]. The manner of representing water, which has been described in a preceding Section, will be found illustrated in detail on [Plate 11]. [Plates 10] and [14] show various kinds of trees; in this form they may be introduced very effectively into plans of estates.
The several stages which a plan passes through in the office are shown on [Plate 2]. If the plan is to be coloured, the colouring must be done before the lettering is put on. [Plate 3] shows a plan lightly coloured, as used by surveyors, solicitors, and others; and [Plate 17] shows a finished plan in colour. The methods of laying on the colours and the principles involved in the operations have been fully described and explained in a former Section. In [Plate 13] is given a town plan showing a proposed street improvement. Such a plan must be laid down to a large scale, and the details in and near the part affected must be drawn in clearly and accurately. The uncoloured portion represents the plan as prepared for lithographing. When pink colour is used to show the proposed street, the buildings should be coloured in black by a light wash of Indian ink. Yellow or any other bright tint may be used for the proposed street, the object being merely to distinguish it clearly. Existing streets should be coloured in yellow ochre, except when that colour is used for the proposed street, in which case burnt sienna may be used.
The Plates relating to this Section are Nos. [2], [3], [10], [11], [13], [14], [15], [17], [19], [20], [21], and [33].
Section V.—Map Drawing.
The principles and practice of map drawing, being in the main identical with those of ordinary plan drawing, have been generally explained and described in the preceding Sections. In the present Section, therefore, we have only to direct attention to such details as belong especially to the former class of topographical representations. These details relate chiefly to the selecting of objects and features on the surface of the ground whose character entitles them to special notice, and therefore to distinct delineation; to the practical methods of sketching such objects and features in the field, and to the means and the manner of reproducing them on the finished map. The first and the last of these questions have been treated by Mr. James in his Handbook of Topography, and the second by Lieut. R. S. Smith of the United States’ Army, in so concise and yet so complete a manner that we have not hesitated to avail ourselves of their labours rather than attempt to offer any instructions of our own. The following is, therefore, worthy of respectful attention.
Single Stroke Streams.
—In inking in streams, begin at the source and draw downwards towards yourself, increasing the pressure on the pen as you descend. The use of the steel pen in drawing single stroke streams is very objectionable. Even soft steel pens are apt to cut the surface of the paper, and in sharp bends it is quite impossible to ensure an even width of line with the best yet made; by re-inking, much time is lost, and frequently a rough jagged line is the result. The common quill pen finely pointed will work well on any sort of paper.