518 Forestry Quarterly 



can be no real conception, no ideal, without a visual impression 

 of such a method in operation. Photographs and models may 

 serve upon which to hang theory, but practical forestry demands 

 practical demonstration. Germany is very fortunate in the ex- 

 tent of this demonstration work. Here the systems of management 

 have been localized and, as one travels from one locality to 

 another, he meets with demonstrations of each of the principal 

 systems : clear-cutting, shelterwood, group, selection, advance 

 growth. Many of these systems are already in the second rota- 

 tion and the visual impression becomes an ideal for that particu- 

 lar system. Later on, as one attempts the application of a system 

 of managment, he has a very real image toward which to work — 

 something very dififerent from photograph or a model. In this 

 way, the man who is to become thoroughly efficient goes on 

 gathering ideals so that whatever branch of work he takes up he 

 has a clear and definite idea of what he is trying to achieve. 

 Without this ideal, his work must be largely -'f an experimental 

 nature. 



The forester will not find all of his ideals in Germany, or even 

 in Europe — many of these, particularly in utilization and trans- 

 portation, he will find in America — yet in Germany he will find 

 the best demonstration of system of management, and this is 

 admittedly the foundation of the science of forestry. 



With these statements as a basis, there are several suggestions 

 which I would like to make for the consideration of American 

 foresters. 



1. Lengthening the period of training for students in forestry, 

 so that the man who has completed his training may be a thor- 

 oughly efficient man in his profession. Perhaps this could be best 

 achieved through the introduction of a practicant period extend- 

 ing over one or two years — placing the graduates of forest schools 

 under the supervision of thoroughly efficient technically trained 

 men and making the period one of practical advanced study. In 

 this connection it should be borne in mind that "practical" does 

 not imply "improvement work," but rather the "practical appli- 

 cation" of the theories of the science of forestry. When the 

 forester becomes a "common laborer" he does not merit the re- 

 spect afforded a "workman." This period of training should not 

 be spent on one forest but the practicant should be given opportu- 



