Some early vexing optical and mechanical problems of the 13-inch ``Pluto'' telescope

The circumstances relating to the initiation of the final search for Lowell's Planet X are summarized as an introduction, followed by a description of the planning and fabrication of the 13-inch astrograph. In the final trial testing of the new instrument, several difficult problems were encountered. One by one, these difficulties were overcome, some by minor modifications of the equipment, and some by changes in the observational procedure. The solutions to each of these problems are described. These were vital before a successful planet search could be started. Reasons ae given for extending the planet search over a large sky area.