SOME THINGS A FOREST RANGER SHOULD KNOW 



By C. H. SHATTUCK. 



Peofessob of Fobestby, Univeesity of Idaho. 



a BRIEF summary of the information which a young man about to enter 

 the forest service as a ranger should have may be of interest. In my 

 judgment the first essential is a knowledge of the general geography of 

 the district which he is to supervise. It is very necessary that he be able to 

 direct those under him as to the location of meadows for the pasture of horses, 

 the name and course of various streams, the trend of mountain chains, and the 

 names and locations of prominent peaks. He should have a very thorough 

 knowledge of roads, trails, and the location of cabins, and the manner of con- 

 structing each. He must also know how to handle horses. The ordinary 

 mountain cayuse instinctively knows the tenderfoot, and will proceed on the 

 slightest provocation to reveal bits of equine ingenuity which are sometimes 

 surprising and often aggi-avating in the extreme. 



It is imperative that he be familiar with the business of packing; this can 

 only be acquired by actual practice, either in his college course or in the field. 

 Many a young man has come to grief in the practical rangers' examination 

 because he could not put up in a permanent manner a conglomeration of cook- 

 ing utensils, axes, shovels, cross-cut saws, provisions, and sleeping and wear- 

 ing apparel. He must know how to throw the diamond-hitch and the various 

 .swings and loops for holding each of the above necessaries on the back of a 

 sliding, climbing, jumping horse. Roads and trails are often steep and some- 

 times barred by various sized logs, the jumping of which by the horses tests 

 thoroughly the packer's skill in the use of rope. 



The ranger must be able to select suitable provisions and must know how 

 to do ordinary cooking. He must have things which cannot be brought from 

 the far-away "bakery. Bread must be made, meats prepared and cooked, and 

 various vegetables and cereals come in for their share of attention. Making 

 camp is another important feature. In selecting a site the essentials are: 

 Good grass for his horses, good water for camp purposes, if possible good fish- 

 ing, and in dry seasons, such a location that the fires may not burn his entire 

 outfit. In addition he should make it his business to be familiar with the 

 forest laws, and the rules and regulations affecting his reserve. He should 

 know as intimately as possible the people who reside within the boundaries of 

 his district, as much of his success will depend upon the wi.se and tactful 

 manner in which he conducts himself in all his relations with them. He should 

 know, if he should be in a grazing region, the brand and ear-marks of the stock 

 in his district, and the approximate number owned by each individual. He 

 must know the timber of his district both as to stands and kinds of trees. If 

 lumbering operations are conducted he should see to it that the cutting and 



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