Aspects of European Forestry. 53 



penses of rangers thus detailed to study, the expenses can be kept 

 at a minimum, as the Prussian example shows. 



The Prussian ranger is a model of neatness — even in his work 

 uniform he is always presentable. It is unfortunately true that 

 the same can not always be said of our men. Those whose right 

 it is to wear "coats of green" may, and it is hoped, will regard 

 it also as a privilege and a just source of pride. 



II. Administration of a Prussian Forest. 



Of the 462 Oberforster in Prussia only 387 are in actual charge 

 of a Forest (Revier verwalter). The others are waiting for 

 vacancies or are engaged on special work. The position of 

 Oberforster in charge of a Forest is commonly considered the 

 most desirable in the entire service ; while his responsibility is 

 large it is not as oppressive as that of the higher official, nor is 

 his life as confining. Furthermore he has time to indulge in that 

 most enjoyable of duties — the hunt. His social obligations are 

 rot as great ; hence his expenses are smaller. Formerly he was 

 almost free from mere desk work but of late there has been a 

 deplorable tendency toward more and more pure "paper work" 

 at the expense of work in the field. Reports and correspondence 

 are multiplying and the Oberforster is constrained to do clerical 

 work if he is to accede to the "Eilt" (Rush!) stamped on almost 

 every letter from the central office. This is aggravated by the 

 extra technical duties imposed on the Oberforster. Thus in the 

 'East Provinces" the Oberforster is also a magistrate. One 

 Oberforster claimed that being a policeman required 80% of his 

 time, leaving only 20% for his technical duties. 



The organization of the Prussian field service is quite similar 

 to that which obtains in the United States. It may be accepted 

 as typical of the other German states. 



The Central office at Berlin is small, confined to the Oberland- 

 forstmeister and his staff of five Landforstmeister. Only ques- 

 tions of the greatest moment are referred to Berlin. Everything 

 else is handled in the Central offxe of the various Regierungs 

 Bezirk's (corresponding to our Districts). At the head is the 

 Oberforstmeister assisted by a staff of usually three Regierungs 

 and Forst Path's (corresponding to our Assistant District 

 Forester). Here also only matters of larger importance are re- 



