1 8 Courses in Forestry 



needs of better treatment of woodlands has taken place. All 

 classes of people are beginning to realize a few simple and im- 

 portant truths: that not all land is plow land; that it is poor 

 business to destroy a forest and throw away the land when 

 with a little care it might be logged and still leave a valuable 

 forest for future use; that it is wasteful to leave the large areas 

 of non-agiricultural lands in a non-productive waste-land con- 

 dition. 



As a consequence of this awakening, guided and promoted 

 especially by the intelligent and energetic efforts of the United 

 States Forest Service, hundreds of forest owners have of late 

 cal'ed for the advice and assistance cf men trained in the right use 

 and care of woods. That this demand for help will increase is certain, 

 :--.nd it is reasonable even to believe that quite a rapid increase of 

 this demand may be looked for. As it is, there are hundreds 

 of estates now in charge of untra'ned men, who are unable to 

 provide more than mere patrol service, while the service of a 

 trained man would not cost any more and would certainly yield 

 larger returns. 



Besides the owners of estates whose lands are held for 

 various reasons, there are numerous parties engaged in dealing 

 in timber land for the purpose of direct exploitation (lumber- 

 ing) or for speculation, who employ well-paid men as "timber- 

 lookers," "estimators," or "cruisers," to make timber or for- 

 est surveys, usually with a view to determining the present 

 market value of the woods. That a trained man who sees 

 not only the merchantable stem, but also appreciates and is 

 able to report intelligently all features which make up the forest 

 and its wealth, would be more useful than the untrained man, 

 would seem to require no argument. The trained timber sur- 

 veyor, then, should replace the untrained "timber-looker." 



As to the prospective forester himself, he should be a man 

 of good physique, good disposition, frugal habits, absolute hon- 

 esty, and thorough training. Half prepared men are of little 

 use in forestry, especially in this beginning stage of the pro- 

 fession in our country. The forestry graduate in Europe goes into 

 service under an experienced, well-trained master, just as the 

 American graduate does in railway service. The forestry graduate 

 in our country must plan for himself and may often have to 

 persuade his employer of the need of any plan at all. 



It is strong, well prepared men, therefore, who are wanted 

 in forestry, but to these the profession not only assures a good 

 living, but a life of highest usefulness and interest. 



