272 AMERICAN FORESTRY 



to endeavor to satisfactorily solve the problems that the American forester 

 forest problems to be found in this has to solve. They will tell us how best 

 country. They have the best chance to we can check the erosion of our moun- 

 study by observation the effects of fire tain parks; what grasses are going to 

 on soil and reproduction. It is up to best restore a depleted range; what 

 them to tell us how our methods of fire body of timber needs to be marketed, 

 protection can be bettered; how we and all the facts about how much can 

 can bring about economy in the man- be cut each year; how much of the area 

 agement of timber sales; how brush should be reforested as it is cut; how 

 burning can best be done and why ; much can be cut fifty years in the future ; 

 what steps are necessary to bring about under what regulations the cutting 

 a better condition of the range. If the should be done; what by-products can 

 rangers can only appreciate it and keep be obtained from the heretofore wasted 

 the realization before them constantly, portions of trees, and how are incipient 

 every one of the men has it within his insect attacks to be combated. They 

 power to advance to an appreciable will be able to say whether or not our 

 degree the work to which he is devoting methods of forest mensuration are 

 his time and thought. As a field man, archaic, and just how they can be 

 a ranger has considerable advantage improved. They will be in charge of 

 over the men who have been coached in reconnaissance crews and will con- 

 theoretical methods of forestry at the struct a working plan to the last detail 

 school, where field work does not for the territory within their districts, 

 occupy a period proportionate with text I am, of course, speaking for myself 

 books. It is up to the ranger to try his when I forecast this future. I know 

 very best to get the theory to go along that the majority of experienced men 

 with the practice and experience that in the Service agree in general with my 

 is his. The chances for obtaining a views. I know that they will tell the 

 forestry education are so much better men, as I have tried to, if government 

 for the average man now than they were control of the forests of the western 

 five years ago that we can scarcely country is to continue, that there can 

 prophesy what is going to happen in the be no great success or large accomplish- 

 next decade, while most of the men are ment unless there is always at the front 

 still in the prime of life and able to the forest ranger, conscientious, self- 

 take (partially at least) advantage of sacrificing, observing, doing things as 

 such opportunities. As I have said, the forest ranger of today is doing things, 

 most of the rangers have the funda- He must remember, when the work 

 mental principles of the field end of drags and discouragements come, that 

 practical forestry well in hand. If without him and men like him, the 

 those who have not had the opportunity Forest Service could not progress. His 

 before, can round this out by a short, reward may not come in large remu- 

 comprehensive course in technical fores- neration or rapid advancement in 

 try, one of these days they can return rank, or in results actually seen by him, 

 to their districts secure in the knowledge but it will most surely and quickly 

 that they are in the position to do the come in his own realization that he is 

 most valuable kind of work for the a cognate part of a movement that 

 profession. touches the very foundations of human 

 As time goes on, our substantial prosperity; of a movement that is 

 cabins will have been built, our tele- altruistic, and one that has no tolerance 

 phone and trail systems completed; for graft or meanness or selfishness, 

 our grazing so adjusted as to run almost individual or corporate; his reward will 

 automatically each year; our current come when he fully appreciates that he 

 timber sale work well in hand, and has done his best to help along the 

 then more time will be devoted by the conservation movement, classed by 

 rangers to the thousand and one forest many as the greatest of modern times. 



