FORESTRY COMMISSIONER. 121 



on the condition of the locality, the means of transporta- 

 tion, etc. Previous to the final cutting, and beginning 

 with the twenty-fifth year of a piece of forest, and ending 

 at the sixtieth year of the forest, thinnings take place at 

 intervals of about ten years with a view to allow increased 

 light and increased space to the most promising speci- 

 mens of the growing stock. Specimens growing less 

 vigorously, dying or dead, are removed at the same time 

 wherever it pays. 



There is no difference in the rank of the forest officer 

 compared to that of any other state officers employed in 

 the technical branches of the government. The- state 

 forestry service is divided into a lower and higher branch. 

 The professional training for the first one is a merely prac- 

 tical training, whilst the latter necessitates scientific prep- 

 aration of a high class. The requirements with reference 

 to this scientific preparation are as follows: Graduating 

 from a state gymnasium; twelve months' study at a uni- 

 versity; three years study at the forest academy at Thar- 

 andt, at which two examinations must be passed; three 

 years of practical professional training under a forest officer 

 and at the bureau of forest working plans at Dresden; ex- 

 amination by the state authorities. After this prepara- 

 tion, as soon as there is a vacancy, appointment as gov- 

 ernment officer might follow, to begin with as assistant 

 of an Oberforster (Superior Forester) ; then as superior 

 forester, .nd so on up to the higher ranks of chief of a 

 forest territory or chief of the bureau of forest working 

 plans. The latter officers have the title of " Superior 

 Forest Master." The highest technical authority con- 

 trolling the local and territorial officers is called ' ' State 

 Forest Master." There are 109 local ranges in Saxony 

 allotted to 17 territorial districts. The former are in 

 charge of a superior forester (Oberforster), the latter in 

 charge of a superior forest master. The central bureau 



