THE STATE FORESTS OF SAXON V. I 79 



of the range differs in different parts of Germany. Those in 

 Prussia are the largest, being 9500 acres on the average; in 

 Baden and Bavaria they are nearly as large. In Saxony, 

 however, where intensity of management reaches its maximum 

 a range is, on the average, 3940 acres ; but this is considered 

 by some authorities a somewhat small unit for the most 

 economic results. In Prussia, where the forests are very 

 large, there is a sub-division of the internal management work 

 which is not found in Saxony. The Prussian Forstmeister has 

 under him several— the number varies from about 3 to 8 

 according to the size of the woods — 7^(V;-j>7t7- (under foresters) 

 who are all ex-X.C.Os from a Jiiger regiment. These are 

 generally good and reliable men, and have assigned to them 

 a certain section of the range, and they take charge of the 

 more or less routine part of the management of that particular 

 section. This is known as the '■'■ Revier Forster" system, and 

 is often found in large private woods as it is more economical 

 as regards highly trained officials. The plan adopted in 

 Saxony is known as the " Oberforster'' system. Here the forest 

 officer or Oberforsfer {Forsfmeisfe?-) looks after the details of 

 management himself, being, however, controlled fairly closely by 

 the inspecting officer {Oberforstmeister) to whom he must submit 

 estimates every year of the work, such as planting, cutting, road- 

 making, etc., he proposes to undertake the next year, together 

 with a statement of the estimated cost. The inspecting officer 

 sends the combined estimates of the twelve Reviere in his 

 district to the Finance minister for his final sanction. Under 

 him the Saxon forest officer has, as a rule, one or more 

 under foresters, several forest guards, and the woodmen. The 

 under forester assists generally in the work of management, 

 usually doing, among other things, the routine book work, of 

 which there is a very considerable amount, owing to the some- 

 what complicated and very detailed way in which the accounts 

 are kept. To become an under forester in Saxony, the 

 candidate does not require any college training, merely being 

 apprenticed, as it were, to a forest officer for three years, after 

 which he must pass his first examination. Having passed this 

 he spends two more years doing practical work, then he is 

 again examined and, if successful, gets the title of '■'■ F orster" ^.nd, 

 is entitled to a pension after so many years' service. Superior 

 woodmen are generally selected for the post of forest guards. 



