78 THE BOOK OF FORESTRY 



needed to succeed in this profession? First of all, a 

 sound body is absolutely indispensable. Many young 

 men have considered taking up forestry thinking it a 

 profession suited to them because they were undeveloped 

 or had weak lungs. Therein they make a great mistake, 

 for a forester's life is too hard for a semi-invalid. 



Regarding mental qualifications, openness of mind and 

 powers of observation are especially necessary because 

 new problems are constantly arising which require im- 

 mediate solution. Both a good physique and a good 

 head are needed, for while the life is too severe for 

 a weakling, it is equally true that the forestry vocation 

 holds forth little hope to the man with a strong back 

 and a weak head. 



The administrative phase of a forester's life demands 

 executive ability of a high order and in addition to the 

 power of commanding others, tact, sympathy and human 

 understanding are required. The striking success at- 

 tained by the Eastern trained forester in managing the 

 national forests in the West is simply another bit of 

 evidence testifying to adaptability and horse sense of 

 the average young American. He has frequently been 

 called upon to decide upon cattle problems or to 

 answer questions upon subjects in which his school 

 training gave him no aid but his adaptability and his 

 willingness to look at things from the other fellow's 

 point of view in most cases have brought him through 

 with flying colors. 



Preparation in College. So much for the life in gen- 

 eral. Now what course of study is expected of the young 

 man preparing himself to be a forester? At present there 

 are two distinct lines of work in forestry education : first, 

 the forestry course proper, which requires from five to 

 six years of stiff work in a college or school of forestry ; 



