26 FOREST COMMISSIONHRS' REPORT. 



STUDY OF FORESTRY AT UNIVERSITY OF MAINE. 



To the Forest Commissioner: 



Sir: — I have the honor herewith to present a report of the 

 teaching of forestry in the University of Maine. 



In the college year of 1906- 1907 there were twenty-six stu- 

 dents registered for forestry as a major subject, an increase of 

 nine over the previous year. In the college year of 1907-1908 

 there were forty-six major students registered in the depart- 

 ment. In addition to the regular students there were twenty- 

 two others who elected work in forestry last year and the pre- 

 ceding year there were twenty-six. 



The enrollment in forestry has increased in two years to 

 nearly three times what it was in 1906 and is nearly five times 

 greater than the registration four years ago, ( 1904-1905 ), while, 

 on the other hand, the provisions for instruction and the funds 

 available for the work have remained the same. The very 

 material increase in the attendance now makes the need for 

 assistance in the work of instruction an imperative one. 



The work has been carried out along the lines laid down in 

 the new schedule of two years ago, when new courses were 

 added. The demand for the work is such that three more new 

 courses are being added this year, the subjects to be treated in 

 these courses being forest geography, forest history and forest 

 protection. In addition, plans are being made to give a course 

 in forest mapping if proper arrangements for the work can be 

 made. 



The practical scientific work for instructional ])urposes has 

 been done in the University woodlot and in the wooded areas 

 within easy reach of the University. The cutting in the Univer- 

 sity woods to remove the undesirable growth and relieve the 

 crowded condition has' been continued and the work on one 

 tract has been nearly completed. This work has been conducted 

 on scientific principles without loss, enough material having 

 been obtained to more than pay for the labor expended. 



