160 THE INDIAN FOREST SCHOOL. 
laboratory, a meteorological observatory, a forest garden and other 
things. A Board of Inspection was appointed to examine the plans 
of operations and generally to advise the Director of the school. 
The age of admission was fixed, a medical examination was pre- 
scribed, and the minimum standard of educational acquirements 
on entrance was laid down, the programme of studies at the 
school being indicated. Fees for instruction at the school were 
not to be charged, but eight scholarships of fifteen rupees a 
month each were placed at the disposal of the Inspector-General 
of Forests. Passed students were to be entitled to receive an 
appointment, paid at the rate of twenty rupees a month, within 
three months of their leaving the school. 
The Director was appointed and the school was officially con- 
stituted from the lst September 1878 ; but the needful staff of 
officers could not be provided at once, and as they were by de- 
grees made available, they were employed in organising the forests ; 
so that, although a few men were received and given such practical 
instruction as was possible, it was not until the summer of 
1881 that the first theoretical course was held in the school. 
This, as well as the subsequent courses, was attended by a small 
number of officers of the superior staff, who had not had the 
advantage of a professional training in Europe. It was not 
found possible at that time to impart instruction in the vernacular 
of the country, but care was taken that all the students were 
familiar with the English language. 
The experience gained during the first year led to certain 
modifications being made in the system as originally proposed, 
and these were adopted in 1882. A course has been held every 
year since then, and the system has been gradually improved 
and developed, until it now stands as follows :—Candidates 
are selected either by the Director of the school or by the 
Conservators of Forests of the various provinces. They must on 
admission be between eighteen and twenty-five years of age and 
must furnish a certificate of sound health, including good vision and 
hearing. The officer who selects them must satisfy himself that they 
are of good moral character and have active habits, fair powers of 
observation and sense of locality. They must have proved their 
fitness for forest work by previous service in the subordinate staff 
of the department for not less than twelve months. There are two 
courses at the school ; one in English for the Rangers’ Certificate, 
and the other in Hindustani for the Foresters’ Certificate. Candi- 
