THE TRAINING OF A FORESTER 



timber can be cut at a profit and at the 

 same time the reproduction of the forest can 

 be safely secured. A working plan usually 

 includes a considerable number of maps, 

 which often have to be drawn in the first 

 place from actual surveys on the ground by 

 the Forest Examiner. These maps contain 

 the information secured by working-plan 

 studies, and are of the first necessity for the 

 wise and skilful handling of the forest. They 

 often constitute, also, most important docu- 

 ments in the history of its condition and use. 

 On many of the National Forests the need 

 for immediate use of the timber is so urgent 

 and so just that there is no time to prepare 

 elaborate working plans. Timber sales must 

 be made, and made at once ; but they must be 

 made, nevertheless, in a way that will fully 

 protect the futul-e welfare of the forest. 

 Whether working plans can be prepared or 

 not, a most important duty of the technical 



52 



