CHAPTER VII 

 THE LIFE OF A FORESTEB 



WHAT does a forester really do and under what 

 circumstances does he live? This and kindred ques- 

 tions have been asked by countless boys since for- 

 estry became a recognized profession in this country. 

 Many boys believe that a forester's life is one grand 

 round of hunting and fishing and do not appreciate the 

 strenuous work and the occasional hardships that are 

 a part of the game. Any profession or business con- 

 tains unpleasant tasks but to a young man fond of the 

 open, not afraid of responsibility and hard work there 

 are few professions which offer the opportunities for 

 such a useful life spent in pleasant surroundings. Its 

 members, however, while serving the State or nation 

 have little chance of dying disgracefully rich. 



In choosing one's life work, the questions naturally 

 arise: Am I fitted for this profession? What course 

 of preparation must I pursue, and what are the duties 

 and opportunities ahead of me after I have completed 

 my training? These are all serious questions which 

 should be answered before embarking upon a career, 

 and it is especially desirable in the case of a young man 

 thinking of taking up forestry. As Gifford Pinchot 

 says, in his admirable book "The Training of a For- 

 ester": "To the man not fully adapted for it, forestry 

 must be punishment, pure and simple." 



What then are the qualifications, the attributes, 



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