106 European Forest Administrations. 



within their limits, and often subject to rights of common usage, 

 such as the supply of wood for fuel or building purposes, pasturage, 

 feeding of swine upon acorns, and the like. Many public estab- 

 lishments, such as churches, monasteries, charities, etc., also own 

 forest estates, as a part of their endowment. 



415. Over all of these the government has supervision, and there 

 has grown up an organized branch of the public service, known as 

 the Forest Administration, with regular grades of promotion, and 

 generally pensions to those who have spent their strength in the 

 service until their working days are over. 



416. In the German States, and in the Scandinavian kingdoms, 

 the Forest Administration is generally a branch of the Ministry of 

 Finances ; in Russia, in that of the Imperial Domains, and in Aus- 

 tria, France, Italy, and Spain, it is associated with the Ministry of 

 Agriculture, or of Agriculture and Commerce, with some differences 

 due to the organization of the several governments. 



417. They agree in having a central administrative office, from 

 whence all important business is ordered, and to which reports are 

 made. They generally have in the superior grades of service a 

 number of inspectors, who make periodical visits to the different 

 forests, to observe their condition, and detect any fault or neglect 

 that may have crept into their management. It is in some coun- 

 tries the custom to transfer the local superintendents from time to 

 time to new fields of duty, as tending to a more faithful discharge 

 of their trusts. 



418. There is also a system of forest-guards, sometimes organized 

 upon a military basis, for the protection of timber and game, and 

 to see that the work of cutting and removal of products is done in 

 accordance with regulations. These guards, when on duty, always 

 wear a uniform, and are commonly armed with a carbine. They 

 may make summary arrests, and are held accountable for any dam- 

 age or trespass done within their districts which are not promptly 

 reported by them for investigation and punishment. 



419. For every grade of service a uniform is prescribed, to be 

 worn when on duty, and on certain public occasions, as in our army 

 and navy. Green, among Foresters, is a favorite color, and an oak- 

 leaf-and-acorn is a common symbol of the profession. A marking- 

 hammer is also a symbol of the Forester, as is the anchor with the 

 sailor, or the pick with the miner. 



