105 



^possible way. It is, therefore, the duty of the oberforster to possess the most 

 exact knowledge of the working of the district confided tp his care, and not to 

 neglect visiting the forest daily, if possible. 



The ober/orster is an independent officer, and is alone responsible for the 

 duties and salaries of his assistants. 



The oberforster, on having passed the scientific examination required by the 

 State, is appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Domain, and Forest, and 

 receives a definite salary, with the right of pension. His rank is that of a 

 government assessor. The extent of each forest district varies. There are 679 

 forest districts in Prussia, and the average size of each district is 3,496 hectares. 



The following table shows the area of State forests in the different Provinces, 

 also the number and the average size of each oberforsterei : 



* 



There is a treasurer for each oberforsterei. He is an independent officer and 

 is alone responsible for the administration of his bureau. The government 

 appoints him, and he is required to give bond for the faithful discharge of his 

 duties. 



The foresters under the supervision of the chief forester (oberforster), are of 

 two classes, namely, those who protect and attend to the practical management 

 of the forests, the so-called forsters (foresters), and waldwarter (forest attendant), 

 and the assistant foresters, the so-called forsthulfsaufscher. The immediate head 

 of the chief forester is the district government, especially its department of 

 finance, and whose organs for the administration and supervision of the forests 

 and the finances are in the person of the forstmeister (forest master), and oberforst- 

 meister (head forest master). The former has control over a certain number of 

 the chief forests within the government district, and the latter over all in the 

 government district. 



