Aspects of European Forestry. 43 



In order to secure a position of administrative responsibility 

 in the Prussian Forest Service, many educational milestones 

 must first be passed on a regularly prescribed cursus honorum. 

 There are three main examinations: The preparatory examination 

 (Forstliche Priifung) ; the Referendar examination (Forstrefer- 

 endar Priifung) ; The Assessor examination (Forstassessor Priif- 

 ung). 



Before attempting the preparatory examination, the would-be 

 forester must have graduated from a "Gymnasium" (equivalent 

 to having completed the sophomore year in an American college) 

 with an absolutely satisfactory mark in mathematics ; he must not 

 be more than 22 years of age; he must have command of suf- 

 ficient funds; have full possession of his five senses and be of 

 irreproachable character ; he must have served a practical ap- 

 prenticeship and must have been in attendance at a Forstaka- 

 demie. 



Application for the administrative career is made to the Ober- 

 forstmeister (corresponding to our District Forester) of the 

 Circuit in which the tyro wants to study. This official, if he is 

 satisfied that the applicant measures up to the required standards, 

 designates the Oberforsterei (National Forest) in which, under 

 the direction of the Oberforster (Supervisor) the applicant is to 

 serve his practical apprenticeship. The object of this apprentice- 

 ship is to give the Forstbeflissener (Forest student) a sufficient 

 insight into the forest and its practical management to enable 

 him to understand the subsequent lectures at the Forstakademie 

 (Forest School). 



Six months this apprenticeship lasts; during that time the 

 Forstbeflissener must keep a very full diary of his doings and ob- 

 servations. Leave of absence is granted only in urgent cases and 

 never to exceed fourteen days — any leave must be made up in 

 subsequent vacations. The directing and assisting of apprentices 

 assigned to his forest is counted among the most important duties 

 of the Supervisor. Any bodily, mental or moral failing on the 

 part of the apprentice must be reported by the Supervisor to his 

 immediate superior. At the expiration of the apprenticeship the 

 Supervisor gives the Forest Student a signed certificate of his 

 service in which it must be specifically stated that the Forst- 



