Ranger Schools. 397 



There should be some elementary instruction in tree diseases, 

 with special reference to external signs of decay. 



6. Forest Products. — This course would cover the uses of the 

 local woods, possible markets for them, specifications required by 

 different classes of woods and their value. It should comprise 

 also elementary instruction in wood preservation, with special 

 reference to simple methods of treating ties, poles, and posts. 



7. Lumbering. — The student should be given practical instruc- 

 tion in the methods of logging used in the locality where the school 

 is located and in the determination of the cost of logging and 

 value of stumpage. He should have also practical training at. the 

 mill, with particular reference to the bearing of lumber manufac- 

 ture on logging, stumpage, and the practice of forestry. 



8. Law. — The student should be given some simple business 

 law, with reference to contracts, deeds, titles, etc. He should 

 understand the local forest and land laws. If in one of the 

 public land States, the instruction should cover the necessary in- 

 formation regarding the homestead, mineral, and other laws 

 which the ranger is likely to be called upon to execute or to give 

 information about. 



9. Forest administration. — Ranger schools in the West should 

 provide instruction regarding administrative problems on the 

 National Forests. This would include administrative problems 

 connected with grazing, settlement, claims, trespass, free use, 

 timber sales, etc. 



10. Construction zvork. — The ranger school curriculum should 

 include ample training in the construction of roads, trails, tele- 

 phone lines, watch towers, bridges, cabins, fences, etc. 



11. Fish and Game. — The ranger should be informed not only 

 regarding the game laws, but should understand the propagation 

 and care of fish and game. 



Miscellaneous Subjects. — The ranger must be a trained woods- 

 man. Attention and time may, therefore, be given to camp out- 

 fitting, camp hygiene, cooking, shooting, packing, trapping, etc. 



Character of Instruction. The ranger school should be a field 

 school. Well organized, practical field instruction with frequent 

 quizzes should be dominant. When possible, simple textbooks, 

 or, in their absence, mimeographed instructions should be used. 

 Lectures and note taking should be put in the background. The 



