QUALIFICATIONS OF A FORESTER. 15 



also be skilled in nursery work, and in all the practical 

 duties of a working woodman. He should be able to 

 wield the axe, and use with skill and judgment the 

 pruning-chisel or knife ; and, above all, he should 

 possess that common sense which is absolutely 

 essential in the control of men. 



A man cannot be perfect, and we do not imply 

 perfection ; but we do urge, and strongly, the necessity 

 of employing able and intelligent men. The work 

 to be performed is work of a high order, failure is a 

 matter of grave consequence, success means prosperity 

 to future generations. If the actual planting is 

 successful i.e., if the trees planted live the work is 

 not complete, the work is progressive. All cannot 

 continue to grow together like a crop of corn ; there 

 must be skill in the thinning, skill in the pruning, 

 skill in the training throughout. 



We recommend all those seeking a working forester 

 to apply to one or more of our best nurserymen ; and 

 there are many. They will probably be able to 

 recommend a good man, who, from their personal 

 knowledge, has been well and thoroughly trained. 



Certificates of merit they can seldom obtain, except 

 from private sources ; but we hope the day will come 

 when planters will seek and employ only those 

 who hold some certificate of professional knowledge 

 emanating from an acknowledged source. 



