614 SCHOOLS OP FORESTRY. 



In the prosecution of inquiries for use in this report, correspondence 

 was had with the officers of nearly all of the schools of forestry in Europe, 

 and a separate account was prepared from documents and information 

 thus obtained, with a view of presenting a statement of the organiza- 

 tion of each. But the limits allowed do not admit of their insertion, 

 and we have thought best to give but one of these complete. It is 

 taken without particular Intention of preference over others, but rather 

 as a fair example of the general scope and plan of these institutions 

 where managed under the exclusive control of a government, and up to 

 the fullest requirements of the age. The remainder must be reluctantly 

 passed with brief notices, in the hope that fuller opportunity may here- 

 after be found for doing justice to their merits. 



Koyal Forest Academies at Neiistadt-Eherswalde and Miinden, Prussia} 



I. NEUSTADT-EBEESWALDE. 



As earlyas the cloae of the eighteenth century, there were, now and then, at the Uni. 

 versity of Berlin, (if there happened to be qualified persons), lectures given on science 

 of forests, without, however, establishing a permanent professorship for this object, or 

 imposing conditions upon candidates for the public forest service for the completion of 

 their studies in forest ^science. It was then deemed sufficient to be conversant with 

 the keeping of accounts, mathematics, and the science of natural history, thus entirely 

 leaving technical education to be acquired by practice. The number, however, of 

 qualilied employes, thoroughly and systematically educated with regard to technical 

 knowledge, growing, in consequence of this system, constantly less and less, it was 

 deemed proper to establish, in 1821, an academy for forest instruction at Berlin.^ 



Dr. Friedrich Wilhelm Leopold Pfeil, then Oberforstrath, was intrusted with the 

 superintendence of this institution, which, although organically not connected, entered 

 into such association with the university, as to employ the professors and means of in- 

 struction belonging to the latter, for teaching the fundamental and accessory sciences, 

 while the lectures on the principal study were given by technical instructors. This 

 organization, however, soon proved inadequate. On the one hand the much-extended 

 study of the fundamental and accessory sciences produced an injurious efi'ect upon the 

 principal studies, and, on the other, there being no suitable forests in the immediate 

 neighborhood of Berlin, the theoretical lectures could not be explained, nor supplied with 

 practical illustration. The more distant but unfrequent excursions and forest journeys, 

 could not efficiently remedy this inconvenience, and proved insufficient to secure a 

 close connection between the theoretic study and the living intuition of the forest. 



On the superintendent's advice, based upon these motives, and strongly supported 

 by the kind intercession of Wilhelm and Alexander von Humboldt, the academy was, 

 in 1830, removed to Neustadt-Eberswalde, and named the High Institution for Forest 

 Science. In immediate neighborhood of this place, there are two large forest districts 

 which offer the students in high degree, a fine opportunity for becoming familiar with 

 their various features. Dr. Pfeil continued to act as superintendent, and, at the same 

 time, was intrusted with the administration of said districts. In addition to Pfeil, 

 who taught the science of forestry proper, there were appointed two other professors, 

 one for the whole department of natural sciences and the other for both mathematics 

 and geodesy. In 1830 a chair was established for Prussian jurisprudence, with par- 

 ticular reference to forest matters, and, in 1851, a second teacher of forest science was 

 appointed. Pfeil remained in his position as superintendent, till the fall 1856, when 

 he was succeeded by Oherforstmeiattr Grunert. After the latter's resuming his former 

 position near the administration of public forests, the direction of the institution was 

 conferred upon Dr. Danckelmann, the present incumbent. Since 1866 very important 

 changed have taken place in the organization of the academy, with a large increase in 



•We are indebted to Dr. J. Danckelmann, the director, for the historical sketch, a 

 translation of which is here given, as also for a series of documents relating to exami- 

 nations and other matters concerning the forest service of Prussia. 



^ It is said that in consequence of continual discussions with Hartig and Reuss, 

 directors-general — Pfiel desired to have the forestry department, in which he was a pro- 

 fessor, removed from Berlin ; and th.at by the aid of tlie two Humboldts he interested 

 the ministry in his behalf, and finally succeeded in obtaining the transfer. Notwith- 

 standing this, those who are destined for the superior functions of inspection and con- 

 versation, must, besides their two yearct and a half at the school, follow a course of some 

 years at the university.— (;See Eeowe dcs Eaux et Forets, May, 1876. 



