THE FOKEST RANGER 447 



the flow of streams, and to protect local residents from unfair competition in 

 the use of forest and range. They are patrolled and protected at government 

 expense for the benefit of the community and home builder." 



And again, from a letter of the Secretary of Agriculture, addressed to the 

 Forester, under date of February 1, 1908: 



''In the administration of the forest reserves, it must be clearly borne 

 in mind that all land is to be devoted to its most productive use for the 

 permanent good of the whole people, not for the temporary benefit of individ- 

 uals or companies. All the resources of the forest reserves are for use, and 

 this use must be brought about in a thoroughly i)rompt and business-like 

 manner, under such restrictions only as will insure the permanence of these 

 resources." 



We see, therefore, that these rangers who patrol the forests, are working 

 for Vs. It is their duty to see that these vast resources are not merely protected 

 from wanton injury, but that such material as can be used without ''waste to 

 the inheritance" is made available for use not by the monopolistic lumber 

 king, but by the settler and local resident. It is the ranger who transacts the 

 business of the forest, as to permits for the use of wood, or range, with the 

 people of the community, hence it is important that the men who fill this 

 important position be chosen with care. Let us, then, follow a candidate for 

 the job, to see how he secures his position, and what his duties are after he 

 has qualified. 



The ranger secures his position by competitive examination under the 

 Civil Service. Local residents are given preference in these examinations, in 

 order to make sure that only men who are familiar with local conditions 

 are employed. The tests are both written and by demonstration. Practical 

 questions only are given and while experience is more desirable tlian mere 

 book learning, yet the ranger must have sufficient education to be able to make 

 maps and write intelligible reports upon forest business. It is also desirable 

 that he know something about the elements of surveying, timber estimating 

 and forest regulations. It is above all essential, however, that he know how 

 to care for himself and his horses when far away from settlements. It is said 

 that one candidate in reply to a question as to what provisions he would take 

 with him for a three weeks' trip into the mountains in August began his list 

 with twenty pounds of beef, which would probably spoil the second day out. 

 Another, endeavoring to be thoughtful of his horse's welfare, listed 50 pounds 

 of horse feed when grass is never more succulent or easily found than in the 

 mountain meadows in midsummer. But perhaps the demonstration tests are 

 more important, and here is where our old friends, the cowboys, shine particu- 

 larly bright, though they may be short indeed on book knowledge. The 

 diamond hitch, the pack, the camp fire or the ritte have no terrors for these 

 men who grow nervous at the feel of the penholder between their fingers. And 

 in the end, the ranger must know more about horses and the wilderness than 

 about books, if he is to be successful. He must show himself to be able-bodied, 

 capable of enduring hard work and even privations. As the "Use Book" 

 perhaps somewhat ironically says, ''Invalids seeking light out-of-doors employ- 

 ment need not apply." 



If the candidate is successful in passing the examination, he is given a 

 six-months try-out as assistant forest ranger, and if he makes good, and is 

 recommended by the supervisor at the end of this probationary period, he 

 becomes a full-fledged ranger at a salary of $1,100 a year. The ranger provides 

 his own outfit horse, saddle and personal equipment. He is now ready to 

 begin his job. He reports to the Supervisor of the Forest to which he is 



