i 4 8 FORESTRY 



from six to twelve months are then spent in the woods in 

 practical training under the supervision of a district officer. 

 In other German States this portion of the work is taken at 

 a subsequent period. Leaving with a testimonial on which 

 is stated exactly what his work has been, the student repairs 

 to a Forest Academy such as that at Eberswalde or Tharandt. 

 Here he studies for two and a half years ; the course being of 

 a thoroughly scientific nature, illustrated by demonstrations 

 and excursions to the forest. 



From the Academy the student proceeds to a University 

 for one year, where he occupies himself with Jurisprudence 

 and Political Economy. Before he can go further with his 

 course he is required to pass a very severe test. Amongst 

 the subjects with which he must show himself familiar may 

 be mentioned the management of woods, their formation, re- 

 generation, treatment, utilisation, valuation, and protection ; 

 forest history, applied mathematics, surveying, physics, 

 chemistry, geology, zoology (with special attention to 

 entomology), and botany. Passing this examination, he is 

 styled ** Referenfar." For at least two years he is engaged, 

 without salary, in various forest districts ; part of this time 

 he is required to take the place of a forest guard or keeper 

 in the woods, thus ensuring experience in the details of 

 practical work. One year also is passed in compulsory 

 military training. 



After the Referendar has gained the necessary knowledge, 

 he again presents himself for examination. On this occasion 

 matters of a technical kind are dealt with, relating chiefly 

 to forest management. The greater part of the examination 

 takes place within the forest, and relates to the actual pro- 

 cesses connected with the systematic treatment of woods. 

 The successful candidate then assumes the title "Assessor " ; 

 but for many years (usually about eight years, though it may 

 be much longer) his salary is only from five to nine shillings 

 per day. This is a period of probation ; when it is ended, 

 his name, for the first time, receives consideration for election 

 to the post of " Oberforster" or district officer. Only then 



